For over a century, Californian schools have been designed to take advantage of the state’s moderate climate. This tradition began in the early 1900s when architects and educators created open-air schools featuring uncovered hallways, courtyards, and large windows that let in natural light and fresh air.
At the time, outdoor campuses were innovative and practical. Educators believed that fresh air was good for students’ health, especially during tuberculosis outbreaks because outdoor spaces reduce the spread of disease.
However, climate change now challenges this legacy, as unpredictable and extreme weather patterns put the practicality of outdoor campuses like M-A’s to the test.
Today, many students appreciate outdoor schools. The open-air environment allows them to enjoy their natural surroundings without feeling confined. Outdoor schools also reduce student stress and improve academic performance. “I like breathing fresh air throughout the day,” sophomore Vivienne Legrand said. “When I go to indoor malls, it’s not that I feel trapped, but I don’t like how enclosed it feels,” she said.
Roger Garcia, M-A’s assistant librarian, echoed Legrand’s sentiment. “I think an outdoor school like ours is a great thing for our kids to experience,” he said.
Students also cherish the opportunities that schools like M-A provide for the community. “The Green has all of my friends,” senior Milad Agah said. “It’s sunny, nice, and we play spike ball—just good vibes.”
However, the unpredictable weather resulting from climate change challenges the longstanding tradition of outdoor schools. “When it’s raining, especially on the Green, everyone just goes in the hallways. It’s boring and lame,” Agah said.
Record-breaking storms in 2023 brought floods to many parts of the state, including school campuses. Open walkways and courtyards designed to let in the sunshine quickly became hazards. Students had to walk through waterlogged paths to get to their classes, and outdoor learning and eating spaces were unusable.
“When you’re trying to get from class to class, the rain makes it harder. For example, when I wear Crocs, it’s very slippery,” junior Ashley Arellano added.
“I wish more teachers let us in, especially during the winter, because it’s a lot colder, and I don’t think anyone wants to be outside,” Agah said.
Rising temperatures are another major issue. While outdoor schools were designed to keep students comfortable in warm weather, they weren’t built to deal with extreme heat. At M-A, the beginning and end of the school year have turned sunny spaces into heat traps, making it difficult for students to focus on their studies and raising serious health concerns.
Sophomore Leif Weintz recalled fainting during a presentation in June of his freshman year. “I started getting lightheaded. I started swinging, tripping on my own feet, and my vision started to get loopy and grey. I ultimately ended up fainting, and my friend next to me caught me,” he said.
Weintz attributes his fainting to the hot weather. “It was 90 degrees or more that day, and in the E wing, there is very little ventilation, so I think that contributed.” Incidents like these highlight the disadvantages of outdoor California schools and the outdated ventilation systems at M-A, which turn longstanding architectural traditions into possible liabilities.
Updating architecture is expensive and time-consuming. Despite these challenges, California’s tradition of outdoor schools remains deeply valued. “I like being able to all come to one place during lunch when it’s sunny and not raining and be able to put blankets out and eat lunch and all hang out together in one place, rather than be scattered,” Poirier said.
As California faces an uncertain climate future, its schools are at a crossroads. The state must find ways to honor its legacy of outdoor-focused education while adapting to the challenges of unpredictable weather. Whether through modern architecture, smarter infrastructure, or a combination of both, the goal is clear: to create safe, functional learning environments for all students, no matter what the weather brings.
For now, schools like M-A are stuck in the middle, balancing the traditions of the past with the demands of the future.
