While science has known for years that light plays a role in how we perceive objects and colors, it was only recently that behavioral scientists started to unlock the much deeper effect light has on our moods and cognitive abilities. This is especially important for students. As matter of fact, according to the US National Library of Medicine, it wasn’t until 2013 that a non-pharmacological approach — bright light therapy — was found to be as successful a treatment as anti-depressants in combatting depression and sleep disturbances among adolescents.
While further research needs to be done, the effects of proper lighting in private schools are already being put to the test. As a recent study by the German lighting manufacturer OSRAM and the Transfer Center for Neuroscience and Learning discovered, students in classrooms with new LED lighting systems that imitate natural daylight cycles scored higher on standardized tests than a comparison group in spaces with conventional lighting.