'School of the Future' opens doors

A paperless environment; flexible classroom furniture that easily can be arranged to support collaborative, project-based learning; high-tech tools to support hands-on instruction; and a sustainable architecture designed to save thousands of dollars in energy costs--all of these innovations mark Philadelphia's new School of the Future, which opened its doors to students for the first time Sept. 7. Built in conjunction with Microsoft Corp., the school is more than just a showcase for new technology; project leaders hope it will serve as a replicable model for other districts to follow as they look to design learning environments that can engage, motivate, and address the unique needs of every student.