'Deskless Classroom' Debuts at Vienna School

VIENNA, VA -- You've heard of standing desks at work, as a way to combat the negative health impacts of sitting in one place for too long?

Now you can find that concept in action in a classroom at one of Vienna's public schools, Kilmer Middle School.

Students in Corey Thornblad and Hannah Boyer's classroom are able to choose how they learn in a "deskless classroom," taking the opportunity to sit or stand while learning.

In a photo posted online Monday by Fairfax County Public Schools, you can see that students are not sitting at regular desks in a classroom, but at tables where some are seated on the floor, some are sitting on chairs and other students are standing at higher tables.

The creative layout, some maintain, increases physical activity, resulting in greater student attention, according to juststand.org. "Increased blood circulation and oxygenation leads to alert students," the group notes on its Web site. "Standing actually improved attention, on-task behavior, alertness and classroom engagement.”

Last year, a private school in Alexandria added standing desks to the classroom. Alexandria Country Day School's integration of Ergotron’s LearnFit Adjustable Standing Desk was made in response to numerous studies that have shown the negative effects of sitting and how more movement during the school day encourages healthier behavior long-term and better student focus for improved classroom performance, according to a news release from the school.

PHOTO from Kilmer Middle School courtesy of Fairfax County Public Schools