A once-dim elementary school is now flooded with sunlight — and it’s making a big difference in how students feel, learn, and engage.
Eisenhower Elementary in Jacksonville, Illinois, recently underwent a stunning transformation as part of a pilot initiative that added 70 windows to its previously windowless classrooms.
And the results are astonishing, with teachers reporting a remarkable shift in both student and staff well-being.
The school is one of many across the U.S. built in the 1960s and 1970s without windows.
Tim Chipman, principal of Eisenhower Elementary, said: “I actually attended this school as a student years ago. Eisenhower was one of those schools that did not have windows.
“The teachers would do everything they could to bring in light. I’ve seen posters of windows on walls, colored sheets above the fluorescent lighting, to bring the dimensionality and bring in light.”
The need to retrofit the school was pressing, as studies show windowless rooms can have a serious effect on students.
Psychologist Amanda Howell added: “If students don’t have that exposure to the direct sunlight and that natural light, it can definitely impact them physically, mentally and emotionally.”
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This dire situation inspired the “Windows of Opportunity” project — led by Windex — which aims to bring more natural light into classrooms and spark a broader conversation about the importance of school design in student success.
The major overhaul saw new, near floor-to-ceiling windows installed – and it led to a radical transformation in the students’ well-being and test scores.
According to a survey conducted after the windows were installed, 84% of teachers noticed improvements in student mood and overall well-being, and 93% saw a positive impact on their own mood. Even more promising, 67% said student participation improved.
Architect Jamie Cosgriff said: “There was a design theory in the late 60s and early 70s where windowless classrooms would keep students focused on their studies. There would be no distractions from the outside world.
“Part of that was that the connection to the teacher would stay stronger. As it turned out, not having classroom windows was a bad idea.
“Test scores go up with windows in the building. Staff absenteeism goes down.
“All of those things help students learn.”
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These new design ideas are backed by hard scientific evidence, including a 2024 study confirming that students in daylight-rich classrooms score higher and stay more engaged.
And findings from the Eneref Institute showed that students with the most daylight progressed 20% faster in math and 26% faster in reading over a single year.
Cosgriff added: “When we put windows in classrooms, we’re trying to give a connection to the outside world, the weather, the grass, the trees and the ability for students to connect with something past what’s going on inside the classroom.
“There’s no substitute for natural light.”
The change at Eisenhower Elementary has been more than visual after the windows were added.
Teachers describe a noticeable difference in the tone of the school day, with classrooms feeling lighter — both literally and emotionally.
Windex, the company behind the project, hopes this pilot will serve as a model for other communities looking to revitalize their schools.
