School design has become increasingly complex for the owner, educator, architect and designer. Decisions can affect a student's performance, a teacher's ability to educate, a facility's impact on the environment, a staff's ability to maintain that facility, and a community's desire to be prudent. But the first consideration should be the students. Schools and universities are built to be a center of the community and are successful when they are centered on students: the future of communities. Students in all settings need an environment conducive to learning. The physical environment of a school and its classrooms plays a significant role in creating this climate. Evidence supports the fact that a well-built learning environment reduces teacher absenteeism and increases student test scores. The adage about the weakest link is truer in school design than in any other building. A single compromise may jeopardize a student's education, or equally important, his or her health. Flooring selection is one of these critical links. Decisions must be based on facts and not anecdotal information. Performance attributes should be considered, including: (1) safety; (2) good acoustics; and (3) maintenance and repair. In the past, flooring products could not contribute to energy savings at a school facility, but today they can. Linoleum, rubber and variable cushion tufted textile (VCTT) offer cushion properties that can be calculated in energy modeling to save energy.