Sein Win, May La Pyeit“Safety through Community in High Schools” started out as the result of a long-time fascination with the educational system in the United States and the contradictions that exist within it. One such contradiction is the attempted inclusion of the greater community within the physical realm of the school—through the allowed use of an auditorium, for example—while simultaneously advocating for physical barriers and checkpoints which foster an air of distrust. Another contradiction on a smaller scale relates to a premise that students function best when exposed to natural sunlight. However, the need for security—elevated by the increase of mass shootings—has influenced many public schools to build with small windows, which restrict natural light and often make for an oppressive environment. This thesis aims to bring forth a design which arises out of thoughtful explorations of such contradictions between community, security, and stimulating learning environment.enThesisArchitectureUrban planningEducationArchitectureCommunity ClinicCommunity InvolvementHigh School DesignLearning EnvironmentSchool Security