Written by: Samik
Edited by: Noah & Pallavi
Visual by: Sofia
At the start of the school year, many students walked the hallways feeling as if they were on a different campus.
These changes are just the beginning, as ISM plans further enhancements across campus, designed to create spaces that foster student engagement and collaboration. Many of these upcoming updates will also draw inspiration from Filipino culture, integrating elements of local heritage into everyday school life. For instance, each section of the school (high school, middle school, and elementary) is being redesigned after each main island group in the Philippines, namely Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, respectively.
Beginning at the drop-off area located behind Bearcat Cafe, the space has been renovated with a modern, wood-style design that flows down into the Business & Administration Hallway and continues through the Modern Languages Hallway. This redesign was done to revamp what was once seen as a dark and narrow space into something brighter and more inviting. By removing the lockers along the sides of the Modern Languages Hallway, the school was able to make room for additional student booths and seating.
These new additions have reshaped the Modern Languages Hallway into a more open and welcoming space for both students and teachers. Beyond aesthetics, the spaces serve practical purposes such as allowing natural light, providing sockets for charging laptops, and more comfortable seating for students to work or relax. On the cultural level, the redesigned hallways incorporate Filipino fabrics into their design elements, celebrating local heritage and giving ISM a minimalist, modern look.
You might be asking yourself: What’s next for ISM?
According to ISM superintendent Mr. Brown, plans aim to further incorporate this focus on openness and accessibility, not just for students but also for staff and parents. One major proposal is expanding the Bearcat Café into the current I-Campus room. Simultaneously, the I-Campus will be relocated to a more convenient spot, such as next to the IT department. This change would allow for more indoor seating throughout the cafe, helping to mitigate the crowding in the kantina. It also makes resolving laptop or technology issues much more efficient, as everything can be handled in a centralized space rather than split between two locations.
At the same time, the Kantina itself is undergoing a review. Despite being a long-standing part of student life, its design has remained largely unchanged for over a decade. A team known as the Kantina Review Committee, comprising students, parents, and teachers, is currently overseeing the selection of concessionaires. Part of the bid process establishes that Kantina vendors must meet updated standards, including offering vegetarian options, limiting sugar content, and aligning with broader nutritional goals.
One of the more exciting changes to watch for is the upcoming self-serve salad bar, where you simply purchase a bowl and customize your meal based on the available bases and toppings. There are also plans to redesign the Kantina’s physical space. Initial ideas include replacing the current hard benches with cushioned seating similar to the new hallway booths, and introducing updated tables and layouts that better support both dining and social interaction.
With all these developments, the shift toward open and flexible spaces encourages collaboration, while the integration of Filipino cultural elements pays homage to our host (or home) country. At the same time, these changes raise questions about how space shapes student life, whether that be through reducing congestion, improving accessibility, or simply making the environment more conducive to learning. If executed well, these improvements have the potential to genuinely support how students study, connect with friends, and spend their time.
