Albritton students turn school spaces into active learning environments

At Albritton Middle School, students turn hallways, tables, vertical surfaces and outdoor areas into dynamic learning spaces that reinforce daily lessons and build practical skills.

Under principals Bradley Burgess and Thelberstine Barbee, educators design experiences that encourage students to take ownership of their work while developing collaboration and problem-solving abilities essential for academic success and informed citizenship.

Seventh-grade students in U.S. history, for example, use chalk notes on tables and walls during jigsaw activities on the Constitution, selecting graphic organizers to analyze and share key principles of American government. The approach helps students deepen their understanding of foundational civic documents while working together.

In science, students rotate through hands-on lab stations to explore mechanical waves, applying concepts through inquiry and teamwork. World language classes feature stations that strengthen listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in French, with an emphasis on creativity and peer interaction.

Students also extend learning through media production for the Bulldog Film Festival, where they plan, film and edit projects across the school. In mathematics, students create their own problems, rotate through stations and lead peer discussions using vertical and tabletop surfaces.

Even hallways support learning. Accelerated math students complete scavenger hunt reviews that reinforce material and build confidence ahead of assessments.

Eighth-grade student feedback highlighted the value of movement and choice: “One thing I like is that we get to move and choose how we work. It makes learning feel more like it belongs to us.”

A seventh-grader added: “When we get to learn in different spaces, it helps us think more and work together. It shows that our teachers trust us, and that makes us want to do our best.”

By intentionally using the full school environment, Albritton Middle School promotes active engagement that supports strong academic outcomes and prepares students as responsible, knowledgeable citizens.