School districts all across the country have been on the never-ending pursuit to keep their schools as safe as possible, no matter what. New technologies and techniques are helping schools manage who gains access to their facilities. Investing in upgrades that add layers of security before visitors are able to get through the front door is one of the more popular moves over the last few years.

There is no secret as to whats been going on in America over the last few decades. Since 2009, at least 177 of America's schools experienced some sort of shooting. School shootings are increasing, and no type of community is safe from this. In the last 10 years, there were 356 victims who lost their lives due to schools not being safe. Security vestibules aim to control this problem by not letting anyone in their school unless they are trusted.

Security Vestibules

Security vestibules/secure entries require school visitors to enter through the main office, after being buzzed in, and signing in after presenting valid photo ID. Security vestibules are used as a strategy to funnel visitors into the main office, providing administrators more control over who has access to the school. This design has become the standard for new school construction and renovation projects. In wake of the massive school shootings over the past 10 years, it is absolutely essential to include security vestibules in any K-12 school, regardless of the area.

School districts around the country have been making a push to include security vestibules in everyone single one of their schools. Unfortunately, there are still plenty of schools around the country where visitors are able to just walk right in. This is a growing concern of communities nationwide.

Safety- The Most Important Thing

The hundreds of school shootings over the past decade has forever altered the way school buildings are designed/renovated. Safety has been moved to the most important thing when designing/renovating a school. Schools across the country are supposed to be a safe place for students to learn and teachers to educate. Students and faculty should never have to fear for their lives while they are in school.

Schools that have been built over the last few decades weren't built to protect students from a gunman, they were built to educate students. Now, in the new decade, the number one priority is protecting students/faculty from a gunman.

In this day and age, it is much more important to be safe than sorry. Security vestibules need to be implemented in every school in the country, to ensure a safe place for teachers to teach and students to learn.