Student Opinion on New School Furniture
Photo Source: Jack Fahey
October 9, 2021
School furniture at Pentucket is in desperate need of replacement. Sitting in class, it hardly takes fifteen minutes to start feeling sore. Legs lock up and backs start to hurt until it feels like you’re just as stiff as the seat. Not to mention that during prolonged tests, discomfort can lead to diminished performance.
Fortunately, the new Pentucket High School is under construction and offers a fresh start at school furniture. With a new building comes new equipment, and the chance to select desks and chairs for the new school is now.
Already, students in every grade are sharing their opinions on the riveting topic of school furniture.
What is of little debate is the need for improvement. In a poll of 35 Pentucket students, freshmen to seniors, 33 believed improvement could be made on furniture in the current school. Although the age of the furniture is a frequent complaint, it isn’t the only issue people have.
In fact, much more is left to be desired of the school’s current furnishings. The Pentucket students polled spoke of a variety of issues. Common opinions included:
“Some desks are way too small, especially if a student needs both a computer and a notebook/paper out”
“The desks and chairs should be separated because back problems are caused by the attached seats and desks”
“I think that the chairs should not be connected to the desks. This makes it very difficult for people of different sizes to fit comfortably in the chairs. Some people like being closer to the desk while others like being farther away and taking this option from students can make it harder to get comfortable in the seat and can then take away from their learning”
“The comfort needs to be improved upon as my body hurts and is stiff from lack of comfort and I can’t pay attention when I have a horrible desk and chair.”
There is almost unanimous agreement that the old furniture is no good, and for a multitude of reasons. When looking towards the future, however, questions show up over what students want to see in the new school.
When asked about tables vs. individual desks in general (non-chemistry and math) classrooms, there was majority support of individual desks with a mixed response over alternatives. 40% agreed on tables, while the rest had no preference.
One popular issue was over whether or not wheels belonged on school furniture. 80% of polled students are for it, but some disagree. For some, too many moving parts means distraction, while another group feels the need for some more free-flowing interior design. Others suggested wheels only be used in classrooms outside of the sciences so that classes with possibly dangerous labs would have reduced risks.
Where the real debate lies is within the specifics of the furniture.
Some students would rather have very mobile workspaces,
while others prefer to have everything stable and a minimum amount of moving parts. A favorite of one student was a combined seat and desk with moving parts everywhere, while another student called the same piece “too chaotic.”
Another argument exists over the height of desks. One opinionated student went as far as calling standing desks “disgusting,” while a large portion of polled students were open to the idea of higher desks.
The question with the most varied responses by far was over the color scheme of the new furniture. Ideas ranged from neon to black, with just about everything in between.
With all of the options available for new school furniture, it’s important to get your opinion as well. In order to vote on what you’d like for the new school, scan one of the QR codes below and pick your top 5.
Jackson Beauparlant • Feb 1, 2023 at 8:07 am
well said Jack overall a well-made article. I liked how you used statistics to support your calm about the student’s reaction to new chairs. on top of that, you talk to the reader not only about the chairs but about their varieties of them and how people feel about them.
Steven Costello • Feb 1, 2023 at 7:58 am
I think that the new chairs are great. the old ones hurt my back a lot.
Mike • Nov 22, 2022 at 1:39 pm
This is so goodn!
Olivia Bartholomew • Oct 25, 2021 at 1:43 pm
I really liked this article! I completely agree that Pentucket needs new furniture, not only for the new school but also in general. I have how most of the chairs are connected to the desks, making it extremely difficult to move around and interact with other students. The pain the furniture gives me all day is unmatched by any other furniture I’ve sat in. It’s very ugly, squeaky, and old; and I find at the end of the day I’m very sore, especially during sports. I really like all the photos you included and the statistics. I think this is all really interesting and I cannot wait for new furniture in the new school!
Gianna Parolisi • Oct 25, 2021 at 1:38 pm
I agree heavily with this article, I think the the poll was useful in helping to illustrate how many other students also agreed that the furniture needed to be upgraded
Ella • Oct 25, 2021 at 1:16 pm
I completely agree with the article the chairs and desk we are sitting in now are awful. it can be so hard to sit in the same seat for an hour when your back has been hurting the whole time. Personally I loved the desk and chairs that were connected I liked being able to have my own space and be able to move my seat around to other place in the class, I think the new furniture could be very beneficial to the students lives.
Nikki Mitchell • Oct 22, 2021 at 10:45 am
Jack, this is such a strong article that will become useful in the long run. I never really thought about other people’s perspectives on the school furniture, but I do think it is time for some new stuff. In my opinion, I liked the desks and chairs that weren’t connected because I could put my feet on the bars and get more comfortable. Now that almost every desk in the school is connected to the chair it makes learning very difficult because all I can think about is how uncomfortable I am. Now that you wrote this article I think everyone will start to realize how true it is. This was a very good article and I hope to see new furniture soon!
Jackson Neumann • Oct 17, 2021 at 8:33 pm
This article was very insightful. I never realized how many people did not enjoy the chairs and other types of furniture at the school. I also never really thought about how uncomfortable the furniture really was. The data presented was very helpful to fully understand how many people want better furniture. I also like the options you provide as alternative types of chairs. Overall this was a very good article that shows a good perspective on the furniture at the school.
Lia • Oct 17, 2021 at 11:28 am
I strongly agree with this article, especially with PSAT’s the other day I was thinking about how inconvenient the set up is. Personally, I was very uncomfortable at my desk with the chair attached for 4 hours. I also struggled to keep all of my papers, pencils, and calculator easily accessible on my desk due to the small surface area. I’m glad you brought this into the discussion for the new school, nice job.
Jackson • Oct 14, 2021 at 8:44 pm
This article was very insightful. I never realized how many people did not enjoy the chairs and other types of furniture at the school. I also never really thought about how uncomfortable the furniture really was. The data presented was very helpful to fully understand how many people want better furniture. I also like the options you provide as alternative types of chairs. Overall this was a very good article that shows a good perspective on the furniture at the school.
Katie Drislane • Oct 14, 2021 at 10:09 am
In accordance with other students, I strongly agree that the furniture Pentucket uses needs desperate improvements. The chairs always seems to be uncomfortable, wobbly, too small, etc. I believe that vibrant color schemes would enhance the environment in your everyday classroom, and the strategically shaped desks would allow for more movement, while also highlighting engagement with peers and collaboration. I also like the concept of wheels on chairs since many students, like myself, tend to get fidgety and the wheels would allow my restless legs and movement to be decreased. Above all, the biggest thing teachers and faculty should be worrying about is preparing their students and supplying them with the knowledge they need, and I believe a new concept of furniture would allow students to be more engaged and comfortable. I look forward to moving on to the new school for my Senior year and seeing what Pentucket decides on. Great and informative article Jack!
Yanni • Oct 11, 2021 at 11:19 pm
As with most other students, I certainly agree that the Pentucket furniture needs improvement. Most of the furniture is uncomfortable and too small, and I agree that connected desks and chairs are not ideal. Having been in classrooms with both small desks and larger group tables, I would argue that the latter is preferable as tables are not only is more comfortable but encourage more collaboration. I am part of the minority, though, that would prefer no wheels (at least on tables, chairs are more understandable) as they would likely be a source of distraction for myself and others. I’m not one to care for the color scheme as long as there is unity and not distracting colors. I think the ability to vote with the QR codes is a great addition that can get students’ opinions on the matter as they will ultimately be the ones using the new furniture, and I’m exited to see how it all looks next year.
Stratton Seymour • Oct 11, 2021 at 6:23 pm
Good stuff Jack. It is nice to see that students are getting a say in such decisions (even if some of them won’t reap the benefits of nice new furniture). I personally don’t mind the current setup and sometimes worry that we may go too far in trying to innovate and, as you noted, it might come as a distraction to some students. I think we ought to just have good durable furniture that will last and gives students a comfortable and simple base to sit on as they learn. Something that will have to go along with this new furniture is a developed sense of respect for it as well or rules in place to make sure kids don’t damage or vandalize it as it will have to last the school a long time just as our good old wooden desks have lasted us.
Josh • Oct 10, 2021 at 11:57 am
Jack, great article you have made here. I also agree with you as well as the 33 students that have said the furniture could be improved. Sometimes, it is hard to work on a small desk when you need to be looking at many different things. In my opinion, tables would work the best.