Have you ever noticed how the seating arrangements of classes differ? Some are arranged in the most typical classroom ever, some are designed to make more space, and some are absolute chaos. Let’s look into the different classrooms and what subjects are taught inside them to get a clue as to how they benefit students or are simply a mess to both students and teachers. 

Toward the Board!

There are a total of three AP science classrooms for Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. The rooms themselves are much larger because there need to be sinks and more open space than in other rooms because of the labs. For physics, there was a catapult lab hauling items that would not have worked in any other classroom without potentially damaging school property. The chairs are also more spread out but they all generally face the front board. The physics classroom, however, has seats where the board is to their side. What’s important to note is that the chairs can be easily turned to face the board so it isn’t an issue when doing lessons. With this seating format, it is easy to sit with your friends but your attention will still naturally gravitate toward the board, where the teacher would be passionately trying to install some science into your brain! 

Rating: 8/10

Precise Angles  

Amongst all the world language classrooms, there is D11 – a room ruled by Mr. Surgent. What’s most notable about his classroom are the seating arrangements. It is in the format of a square with desks lining the sides of a larger square in precise angles. However, it makes you look like you’re being stared at if you are sitting in the center. Since Mr. Surgent teaches history, the very nature of the seating arrangement makes it extremely easy to do group discussions by seating at the edges. However, the further you are in the center of the square the more you feel surrounded by all sides and stuck in Mr. Surgent’s classroom forever. 

Rating: 5/10

Fun and Chaos

There are classes like Journalism and AP Language and Composition, both of which require discussions amongst peers. It is also easy to create a circle around the entire room without moving much of the furniture. However, there is an abundance of different tables with chairs facing in all directions. Not only can you easily sit with your friends, but you can also easily make new ones due to the nature of the seating format. However, it might be more difficult to focus on the front of the room at certain tables than others, potentially hindering your attention. 

Rating: 7/10

Social Distancing 

Despite both being English classrooms, the seating styles are extremely different. In C16, the desks are in set rows all facing the front board AP Literature requires students to analyze a text to answer a question. Although there is some opportunity for nuance in opinion, there is a mostly-fixed set of correct answers to that question. Especially for close readings, there’s not not much room for interpretation to one’s delight as it is more about the author’s thoughts and purpose. This is demonstrated in the seating arrangements, which resembles a very typical classroom. 

Rating: 5/10