Assessment of Acoustic Quality in Schools: A Case Study of a Public School in Brazil

The public institution Desembargador Theodomiro Dias Municipal Elementary School, aims to provide free, high-quality education for students aged 6 to 14 (1st to 9th grade). Located in a predominantly residential neighborhood, the school has been the subject of frequent complaints from the surrounding community due to high noise levels during school activities. These issues are mainly due to the lack of attention to acoustic quality in both the architectural design and pedagogical planning, affecting not only the neighborhood but also teachers and students. In this context, researchers from LABAUT, the Environmental Comfort and Energy Efficiency Laboratory at the Faculty of Architecture, Urbanism, and Design of the University of São Paulo, were invited to assess, measure, and propose improvements to enhance the school's acoustic comfort. The methodology combines quantitative assessments through in situ measurements with qualitative approaches using surveys to capture teachers' and students' perceptions of the acoustic environment. The results will be analyzed based on existing literature and relevant technical standards. Ultimately, the study aims to propose and implement strategies to optimize the acoustic quality of the classrooms under evaluation.