Extensive US research has found a significant positive effect of natural daylight on the performance of primary school pupils. The improvement was by 15-26% in math and reading.

About study

✓ Productivity

Title:	Daylighting in Schools – An Investigation into the Relationship Between Daylighting and Human Performance
Author:	Lisa Heschong The Pacific Gas and Electric Company, California Board for Energy Efficiency Third Party Program
Date:	20. August 1999
Source:	https://www.researchgate.net/publication/328416721_Daylighting_in_Schools_An_Investigation_into_t...
PDF:	Daylighting in Schools An Investigation into the Relationship Between Daylighting and Human Performance.PDF

Brief summary

The California Energy Efficiency Council conducted research on the results of tests from over 21,000 students in grades 2-5, examining the correlation between natural daylight and student performance in primary schools across three school districts: California, Washington, and Colorado. The study found a statistically significant positive correlation between natural daylight (particularly through skylights and roof windows) and better performance by students on standardized tests in reading and mathematics.

Daylight through skylights has a positive effect on pupils’ performance compared to students in classrooms with no skylights

The study showed that students in classrooms with the most daylight performed 20% better in maths and 26% better in reading compared to those with the least daylight. Similarly, students in classrooms with larger window areas improved their maths performance by 15% and reading performance by 23%. In addition, students in classrooms with well-designed skylights that diffused daylight throughout the room performed approximately 20% better than those without skylights.