Where Learning Expands: Passaic Arts and Science Charter School

Flexibility is a defining feature of modern educational design. Space management solutions help schools maximize shared areas, creating environments that can quickly adapt to a wide range of activities, events, and community needs.

At Passaic Arts and Science Charter School, the gymnasium serves as more than an athletic facility. Adjacent to the physical education room is a church, where members of the Passaic, New Jersey community gather for services and special events. By creating a flexible environment that can support a variety of educational, community, and extracurricular activities, the space helps foster connection and engagement while supporting iLearn Schools’ mission to prepare students academically, socially, emotionally, and behaviorally for college, meaningful careers, and inspired living.”

To support these diverse uses within a single footprint, the school required a structure capable of transforming one shared area into two completely separate environments without sacrificing functionality. To meet this challenge, iLearn Schools partnered with ModernfoldStyles to provide a flexible space division system featuring a Modernfold Acousti-Seal Legacy fire-rated paired panel partition. The installation enables the gymnasium and church areas to operate independently whenever needed while preserving the versatility of the multipurpose space.

Custom fitted to the existing opening, the partition measures 13 feet high by 35 feet wide. Despite its impressive size, the panels glide smoothly along the #14 track system using steel four-wheel ball bearing trolleys, allowing a single person to quickly reconfigure the room and accommodate changing schedules throughout the day.

An integrated pass door further enhances the functionality of the Modernfold Acousti-Seal Legacy by providing convenient access between the gymnasium and church without requiring the entire wall to be opened.

To allow church events and school activities to occur simultaneously without disruption, achieving a high level of sound separation was essential. With a 52 Sound Transmission Class (STC) rating, the system allows each side to maintain privacy while accommodating different events or groups of people at the same time. This acoustic performance is achieved through Sureset manual 2-inch bottom seals and fixed top seals, while an expandable panel closure activated with a crank handle fully secures the partition.

The operable wall was also designed to blend naturally with its surroundings. Each side of the panels was finished to complement the part of building it faced. The church-facing panels feature Modernfold standard vinyl with Len-Tex Emboss LT Suede in B. White, while the gymnasium-facing side is finished in Len-Tex Soraya in Grey Pearl. Smoke Gray trim and hinges complete the installation, providing a cohesive appearance that complements both spaces.

The system also features a one-hour UL fire rating, providing up to one hour of fire resistance. By combining flexible space management with enhanced fire protection, the divider helps create a safer environment for students, staff, and visitors.

By combining intuitive operation, exceptional acoustic performance, fire protection, and finishes tailored to each setting, the Modernfold Acousti-Seal Legacy partition enables Passaic Arts and Science Charter School to maximize the value of its multipurpose space. The addition reinforces the school’s mission by allowing educational programs, worship services, and public gatherings to take place independently while maintaining privacy, safety, and a cohesive appearance.

The completed solution gives Passaic Arts and Science Charter School the flexibility to accommodate activities and events within a single shared footprint. By allowing each space to operate independently while maintaining privacy, safety, and visual continuity, the Modernfold Acousti-Seal Legacy demonstrates how adaptable space management can extend the value of educational environments beyond the classroom.

Learn how ModernfoldStyles has transformed spaces across a wide range of industries. Browse our case studies to see how thoughtful design and innovative solutions come together in real-world applications.