Playworks Kicks Off Milestone Year in Big Way

  1. Updates
  2. News

It’s been 15 years since Playworks first stepped onto the playground in two Berkeley schools and began to change recess. Since then, what started as a good idea has developed into a major movement. This year, Playworks will celebrate our 15 year anniversary by serving more than 120,000 students in more than 300 schools in 22 cities in all major regions of the country.

Playworks has also added six new cities to the 2011-12 roster, and we’ve expanded into schools in New York City’s Brooklyn borough.

Our new expansion cities include:  ChicagoPhoenix,  Albuquerque/New MexicoSalt Lake City,  Jackson and Durham,

"It’s rewarding to see how a simple idea to teach kids games and sporting behavior at recess has grown into a national movement around play and improving school culture," says Playworks CEO and Founder Jill Vialet. “It’s a model that continues to work."

Another Banner Year

We're also starting out on the coattails of a banner year. Surveys of nearly 2,600 principals, teachers, and staff at our 2010-11 partner schools were overwhelmingly positive.

  • Nearly nine out of ten (88%) reported a decrease in the number of conflicts originating on the playground and spilling over into the classroom,
  • 85% reported a reduction in the amount of time transitioning from recess to classroom instruction.
  • Nationally, Playworks schools averaged more than 24 hours of reclaimed teaching time from resolving playground issues.
  • In addition, 86% reported a decrease in incidents of bullying, and 87% reported a decrease in disciplinary referrals. 

   

More Updates


children playing indoors
children playing indoors

January 13, 2025

Making Any Space a Playspace ›

Play is essential to a child’s development, regardless of whether it happens on a bustling playground, in a quiet classroom, or even in a small hallway. While a traditional outdoor…

November 20, 2024

Building a Foundation for Change ›

Relationships are the foundation of building a shared future. Schools, as microcosms of our communities, are the perfect starting point for driving the systemic change we need. We can most…

October 21, 2024

Why Kids Should Experience a Variety of Sports and Games ›

Childhood is a time of exploration, where kids can try new things, discover hidden talents, and develop critical life skills. One of the best ways to foster this growth is…