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In recent years, communities have grown deeply aware of the need for stronger school security, and rightly so. As we partner with K–12 districts, we approach this challenge with a clear goal: to create campuses that protect without alienating, that invite learning even as they fortify.

With that objective in mind, these seven practical strategies show how you can meet heightened security demands—and at the same time foster emotional safety, connection and ownership across your entire campus. From natural surveillance to community‑driven spaces, each tactic balances physical protection with an atmosphere where students, staff and families feel both safe and supported.

1. Optimize Sightlines for “Natural Surveillance”

Creating clear lines of sight across key campus areas supports safety through visibility, helping staff monitor movement while limiting views from outside eyes.

Design for Physical Security

  • Apply window films to shield direct views into classrooms.
  • Use layered landscaping (shrubs, setbacks) between public areas and building facades.
  • Eliminate blind spots near stairwells, entrances and corridors using interior glazing and transparent partitions.
  • Use lighting and subtle environmental cues—including visible staff or security presence—to deter unwanted behavior.

Design for Emotional Security

  • Use open layouts and glass walls/partitions to boost daylight and visibility inside.
  • Provide clear, predictable circulation paths to help students move confidently and reduce anxiety—especially in transitional zones.
Interior view of a modern high school corridor with polished concrete floors, exposed ceilings, and brick-accented columns.

At Forsyth County School’s high school, long corridors, interior windows and glass partitions create clear sightlines that support staff supervision while maintaining an open, student-centered environment.

2. Create Defined—but Welcoming—Borders

Well-marked boundaries support both safety and easy of navigation—making it clear where access begins and ends without introducing barriers that feel harsh or unwelcoming.

Design for Physical Security

  • Mark perimeters with planters, curbs, native rock formations or layered landscaping.
  • Set fences back from the building to create protected buffer zones.
  • Route walkways directly to student entrances to prevent unintended access.

Design for Emotional Security

  • Use materials and lighting transitions—like shifts in flooring patterns or brightness—to signal student-only zones.
  • Create inviting entry moments with natural light, warm finishes and student artwork to reduce the institutional feel of security thresholds.
Rendering of courtyard with fencing, brick buildings, and landscaped pathways at North Salem High School.

A rendering of North Salem Central School District‘s security upgrades shows how native stone, fencing and layered plantings define soft perimeters, limit vehicle access and discreetly shield student spaces.

3. Embed Technology Thoughtfully

Technology is the silent backbone of a safe school. When integrated intentionally, it supports security without overwhelming the environment, becoming invisible structure—not a source of anxiety.

Design for Physical Security

  • Use single-point entry vestibules with check-in systems and ID scanning tools like Raptor.
  • Discreetly embed cameras, emergency comms and alert systems within ceilings, walls or lighting elements.
  • Plan circulation to reinforce single-entry, single-exit access points.

Design for Emotional Security

  • Integrate security tools into architectural elements—like cameras in light fixtures or speakers in ceilings—to reduce visual clutter or the feeling of constant surveillance.
  • Use digital signage for announcements, wayfinding or schoolwide updates to foster communication and a sense of calm.
High school welcome vestibule with blue tiled wall, black-framed glass doors, and secure check-in window.

At Kenmore-Tonawanda Union Free School District’s Kenmore West High School, a single-point entry vestibule manages building access while maintaining smooth, student-friendly circulation.

4. Layer Access Control Throughout the Campus

School security isn’t just about locked doors—it’s about designing a predictable experience. By layering access points from the street to the classroom, districts can guide visitor movement, reduce confusion and ensure the right people are in the right places at the right times.

Design for Physical Security

  • Use consistent signage, logical layouts and clear parking to guide visitors.
  • Place public-facing spaces like the main office or nurse’s suite near the entrance.
  • Separate visitor circulation from student areas through layout and access restrictions.

Design for Emotional Security

  • Simplify arrival and dismissal with intuitive, stress-free entry paths.
  • Design predictable daily patterns of movement that reinforce routine and help students feel secure through familiarity.
5. Activate Outdoor Spaces with Safety in Mind

When designed intentionally, outdoor spaces support wellness, encourage connection, and allow for safe supervision without feeling restrictive. By balancing protection with openness, districts can make the most of every part of their campus.

Design for Physical Security

  • Locate playgrounds and athletic fields away from streets.
  • Use natural barriers like berms, hedges and fencing to limit sightlines from public areas.
  • Design clear exits and circulation to maintain visibility and control.

Design for Emotional Security

  • Create multipurpose outdoor zones that support both play and connection.
  • Incorporate green spaces that encourage relaxation and socializing, like shaded seating areas or small garden spaces.
Children playing on green playground arch with rubberized safety surface at elementary school.

At Kenmore-Tonawanda Union Free School District’s elementary school, the playground is positioned behind the main building, creating a protected, student-focused space that’s shielded from public view and vehicle access.

6. Design for Community Ownership

When schools reflect the values and needs of their communities, they build trust, encourage stewardship and reduce risks through shared responsibility. Designing with the broader community in mind strengthens safety through a shared culture of care.

Design for Physical Security

  • Place health clinics and community event spaces near primary entries to meet public needs without breaching student areas.
  • Create distinct, supervised access points for after-hours use of gyms, auditoriums or shared outdoor facilities.
  • Avoid publicly posting building floor plans to reduce security risks.

Design for Emotional Security

  • Design entry experiences that feel welcoming but managed, such as staffed vestibules and warm, open lobbies that balance openness with oversight.
  • Incorporate student and community voice into public-facing elements—like murals, donor walls or displays—to build shared ownership and pride.
Designing Safer Schools, Together

From clear sightlines and well-defined boundaries to thoughtful use of outdoor spaces and technology, these strategies are more than just best practices for school security. They are essential steps toward creating environments where learning thrives, relationships grow, and every student can feel a sense of belonging and trust.

As safety challenges continue to evolve, districts that prioritize both security and emotional resilience will be best positioned to foster a climate where students and staff are empowered to reach their fullest potential.

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About the Author: Dave Hunsberger

Dave is an architectural Principal in CPL's Westchester office with more than two decades of industry experience. He is responsible for managing the assessment, design and construction administration of all New York City School Construction Authority (NYCSCA) projects and has expertise in masonry restoration, roofing, windows/doors, exterior envelope and specifications. David's hands-on approach to the design process has proven to be effective when managing school construction projects and determining long-range planning goals with K-12 clients. He feels strongly that combining public education with an architect's insight can make for safe and inspiring spaces that permit learning and growth.