Classrooms often get the short shrift when it comes to designing a space that allows for optimum hearing conditions for students and speaking conditions for teachers. Over the last few years, increasing concern from state regulators and facility designers has focused greater attention on improving acoustics. The main acoustical issues to consider are low background (HVAC) sound, controlled room reverberation and isolation from sounds in adjacent rooms and other exterior noise. Several studies suggest that when classrooms have a better balance of lower background sound and good distribution of a teacher's voice, test scores rise significantly. In this article, the authors discuss the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) S12.02-2002 standard which outlines acceptable design practices and specific criteria for classroom acoustics, and suggest that education facilities should strive for an optimum balance of lower background sound and good distribution of the teacher's voice in the classroom.