“When a classroom is decorated well, it should promote learning with things that make a homey atmosphere where students can destress and focus on the information,” junior Rueben Hughes says.

Hughes is not alone in this opinion.

In a survey of about 75 DHS students, one thing was clear. Teens like decorated classrooms.

Whether it’s murals, LEDs, lamps, comfy chairs, or posters these decorations do not go unnoticed. Students notice because it helps them feel more welcome in a learning environment.

When it comes to the classroom, teachers have the creative freedom to choose how they would like their room set up. Based on their interactions with students they incorporate which elements they personally believe will help teens learn. 

“Our rooms are a way of expressing ourselves and the vibe we want to create in our rooms,” English teacher Mrs. Boyd said.

Many DHS students explained that the classrooms containing decorations help them feel comfortable and allow them to concentrate better. 

“In a boring room, you feel like ‘I have to be here’, and the blank walls don’t engage your curiosity, but with a decorated room it feels like ‘I get to be here’, making it easier to learn,” sophomore Hailey Lau said.

For some students school is fun and enjoyable but others may think it is plain torture. By being in a more inviting environment it can persuade the students to change their mindset due to the more engaging atmosphere that is created due to the decorations.

There are studies that have shown that decorations can be overstimulating to the human eye, making it hard to stay on task and cause anxiety. Most studies do say that distraction is more common in younger students. 

Although some research does tend to lead to decorations being distracting, most DHS students believe the good outweighs the bad.

One aspect of the classroom that Dallastown kids most enjoy is the dim lighting like lamps or LED lights. This is helpful because it can help students focus and provide a relaxing setting for learning.The school lights are very bright and may even give some kids headaches. 

“Decorative lights can be really helpful because they aren’t as harsh as the hospital-looking big lights the school has,” junior Lily Medich said.

Teachers agree. 

“I have never liked the sterile feel of the bright fluorescent lights.  It causes headaches for many people, and it can heighten anxieties,” Boyd stated.

School can seem to have a depressing setting due to the boring gray walls. Each and every decoration included in the classroom can lift students’ spirits.

“If being in my classroom can brighten their mood or make them feel comfortable, even if it is just for 68 minutes, I have achieved what I set out to do,” English teacher Mrs.Epps states.

Epps and many others go out of their way to add details to their classrooms that make them different from others.

But English teacher Mrs.Gibson’s ideas were on another level. Not only did she do it once, but twice!

Gibson taught seventh grade Language Arts at DAMS before moving to the high school. 

“At first- I was trying to solve a problem. I had been moved to a room that had no windows and I was VERY SAD about that,” Gibson stated.

According to an Ed Week Research Center Survey, 1 in 5 teachers report their classroom doesn’t get any natural light.

To solve this “problem” Gibson added some color to the walls in hopes of brightening up the room. 

“These murals took about 30 hours to complete over the course of a week in the summer before school began,” Gibson said.

Taking time and effort, this shows how much a comfortable space for students means to her. So much so, that she even took the time to make DHS students feel this too.

Transferring to the high school was definitely an adjustment but that didn’t stop Gibson from decorating her room again in hopes of providing a safe place.

“I do hope it communicates that I care about students enjoying their time here. I hope the room makes kids feel safe to relax, and I hope it isn’t too distracting,” Gibson explained.

Gibson’s students do not find it distracting, they find it calming and helpful.

“Having a classroom with LED lights or mellow decorations lets me be more relaxed and eager to learn,” one senior stated. 

Teachers and students both agree that having the classroom more uplifting positively affects student learning. 

“Classroom environment is very important to me. I always want my classroom to be a place where students feel comfortable. We are more likely to learn and take educational risks in a welcoming environment. I also want to spread joy, and this is one way I can contribute to that mission,” Epps said.