Through the Educational Facility Master Plan process, the VIDE sought out a standards-based approach to the assessment of Space Curricula Alignment and established a process methodology to ensure objective and credible findings. The VIDE wanted to know how its facilities were supporting or challenging teaching and learning throughout the Territory.

How do VIDE facilities support the educational mission and curriculum of each unique district?

In collaboration with the VIDE, DLR Group completed a detailed study of existing educational facilities using an assessment tool built upon ten key criteria for space curricula alignment. This space curricula alignment indicator analysis included input from the VIDE and demonstrated consideration for other best practices from districts throughout the United States and its other territories. Leveraging research, data collection, and the findings of DLR Group's multi-year study on student and teacher engagement, in collaboration with Dr. Lennie Scott-Webber of INSYNC: Education Research + Design, the design team visited 25 schools across St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John, and collected data in support of the ten criteria illustrated below. ​These visits allowed the team the opportunity to see the campuses in operation, and to meet with the principals and assistant principals in order to get a better understanding of the needs of each school.

In conjunction with facility assessments and capacity reviews, these evaluations informed Space Curricula Alignment Scores (SCA) for each facility visited. These scores are the product of assessments in six of the ten criteria categories.

​The six categories that informed SCA scores are: 

• A Community Resource
• Stimulating Architecture
• Safe and Secure Supervision and Secuirty
• Learning Environments that Connect
• Flexibility
• Thermally, Visually & Acoustically Comfortable