Ahfachkee School: Flexible Learning Rooted in Culture
See how Ernie Morris and VS America helped create a flexible, community-based learning environment for Ahfachkee School in South Florida.
Ahfachkee School, located on the Big Cypress Indian Reservation in South Florida, serves the Big Cypress Community and the Seminole Tribe across kindergarten through 12th grade. In addition to core curriculum, the school integrates Seminole cultural heritage and the Elaponke language throughout the student experience.
To support that mission, VS America and Ernie Morris partnered to create a community-based learning environment that reflects the school’s values while supporting flexible, student-centered learning. The project brought together two family-owned companies with more than 150 years of combined experience to deliver spaces designed for engagement, adaptability, and long-term growth.
The selected products were chosen to support a wide range of learning activities and breakout areas. The SHIFT+ Collection, designed by David Stubbs, helped define zones throughout the classroom while also providing storage and display space. Curved Shift Transfer Units added flexibility, and magnetic backs on bookcases created additional opportunities for display and small-group learning.
Ergonomic seating played an important role throughout the school. PantoSwings, PantoMoves, and Hokkis were incorporated to encourage movement and support both students and teachers throughout the day. PantoSwing-LuPo and PantoMove-LuPo chairs were used across the school, giving students the ability to adjust, swivel, and move as needed while learning.
Additional storage and organization solutions were integrated throughout the space as well. SPACE Craft Mobile Storage elements were used to support the school’s continued growth, while clear Certwood bins made books and materials easy to see, access, and manage.
The support did not stop after installation. In March 2024, educator Jill Ackers from VS America visited the school to provide guidance, answer questions, and evaluate how well the spaces were functioning in the educational setting. Teachers and students embraced the flexibility of the environment, even rearranging layouts to fit their needs in the moment. VS America and Ernie Morris continue to support the school through tools, teacher training, and professional development designed to maximize engagement and student agency.
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