Cooper Lighting Case Study: Spencer Middle School’s Improved Learning Environment

April 21, 2023

Cooper Lighting, Spencer Middle School Case Study

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Background

The Spencer Middle School is located in Langford, just outside British Columbia’s capital, Victoria. A public school that serves grades six through eight, Spencer Middle School offers its 640-strong student body a host of academic, applied skills, and extra-curricular opportunities to help them learn, grow, and enjoy their middle school years.

Challenge

The school district felt the school’s interior lighting and décor was dated. And it was. The common area hadn’t been updated in close to 30 years, while the rest of the school lighting and décor hadn’t changed since the 1970s when the school was built.

 All agreed this wasn’t the best way to make students feel welcomed to school every day. The district wanted a fresh look for the interior of the Spencer Middle School.

Solution

Mac’s II designer Ryan Brown brought Cooper Lighting Solutions onto the project. He’d seen Cooper Lighting Solutions products in use at another school and knew they would be right for Spencer Middle School.

The decision was made to go with Cooper Lighting Solutions Neo-Ray Define lighting fixtures and WaveLinx lighting controls.

The Neo-Ray Define series offers unmatched design flexibility, making it a favored choice for education spaces. It features a minimalist design and clean, uniform lines of illumination – a much more contemporary, much more welcoming look than the 1970s aesthetic it was replacing.

Cooper Lighting Solutions WaveLinx controls are intelligent, LED-based lighting systems that can help schools reduce energy and operating costs while ensuring a comfortable environment that supports learning.

Products Used

Define LED Suspended Luminaire
WaveLink Mobile App
CGT Panel
WaveLinx Wireless Area Controller Gen 2
WaveLinx Integrated Components
WaveLinx Wallstation

Results

The new lighting system was delivered on time and installed on budget. It was very well received by everyone: students, teachers, parents, the school district, and, of course, the budget committee.

Here are just some of the results of the new system:
  • Lower energy consumption and costs. By switching from fluorescent to LED lighting, the school can expect energy efficiency to improve by 60-70%.
  • Less wasted energy. Occupancy sensors turn off the lights automatically when no one is present in a space.
  • Less maintenance required. Because LED bulbs last anywhere from 6 to 12 years, they don’t have to be changed as often. The result is a considerable savings in labor hours.
  • Better lighting quality. Higher quality lighting is proven to promote learning, encourage student productivity, even improve academic performance.
  • Decentralized lighting control. Teachers are now able to control the lighting in their classrooms. They’re able to choose color temperatures (from cool to warm) to mimic the effects of circadian cycles to provide students with lighting that helps them better focus on their studies.
  • Improved student and teacher wellness. Better lighting provides the kind of class acoustics and non-glare lighting that make spaces more comfortable and less stressful.
  • Future-ready system. As the school’s student body increases or the school wants to add more functionality, they’ll find their system is scalable and easily reconfigured

“The project with Macs ll and Cooper Lighting Solutions went very smoothly, including the experience of choosing the perfect lighting for our unique spaces… The WaveLinx Pro dimming package is so user-friendly and easily accommodates the end user’s wants for their space.”

Electrician, Sooke School District 62, British Columbia, Canada

More information available Here

Related Articles

Changing Scene

  • Oct 8, 2026 - Canada Light Expo 2026 To Unite Canada’s Lighting Industry Under One Roof - CLE 2026

    Canada Light Expo 2026 To Unite Canada’s Lighting Industry Under One Roof

    Canada Light Expo 2026, the country’s premier exhibition for the lighting and LED technology sector, will return to the International Centre, Toronto, on 18–19 November 2026. Marking its 3rd edition, the event is expected to bring together more than 100 leading brands and showcase over 1,000 lighting solutions, connecting manufacturers, designers, specifiers, distributors, contractors, and… Read More…

  • Oct 7, 2026 - Eureka Wins Multiple GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN Awards

    Eureka Wins Multiple GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN Awards

    Eureka is pleased to announce that five of its luminaire families have been recognized in the 19th edition of the GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN Awards. Jarry, Orelia, Scout Accessories, Torno, and Tulip all received GOLD CERTIFICATION in the Product Design – Lighting/Indoor Lighting Fixture category. The GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN Awards is an international competition… Read More…

Design

  • LEDVANCE: Toyota Lighting Case Study – Brossard, Quebec, Canada

    LEDVANCE: Toyota Lighting Case Study – Brossard, Quebec, Canada

    Located 15 minutes from Montreal, Toyota’s Quebec Regional Office in Brossard, Canada houses a first-floor training and service area, and second-floor offices where financial services and dealer network operations are conducted.  With environmental sustainability representing a core pillar of Toyota’s mission, the Brossard location has long been committed to embracing products and practices that conserve… Read More…

  • CSC LED: How Product Availability Impacts Project Timelines

    CSC LED: How Product Availability Impacts Project Timelines

    When planning an LED lighting project, the focus is usually on performance, specifications, budget, and application requirements. But there is another factor that can have just as much impact on the project: product availability. A fixture may be the right choice on paper, but if it is not available when needed, it can affect installation… Read More…

New Products

  • SATCO|NUVO: Dual Head Security Lights – Bullet & Square Heads Models

    SATCO|NUVO: Dual Head Security Lights – Bullet & Square Heads Models

    SATCO|NUVO’s Dual Head Security Lights deliver dependable outdoor illumination for residential and commercial applications. Available in traditional bullet head designs as well as architectural square heads, these fixtures feature selectable 3000K, 4000K, and 5000K color temperatures and are offered in black, white, and bronze finishes to complement a variety of exteriors. Constructed from rugged die-cast… Read More…

  • ABB Ready-Lite: RSAUR Series – Surface-Mount Architectural Remote Fixture

    ABB Ready-Lite: RSAUR Series – Surface-Mount Architectural Remote Fixture

    The RSAUR Series surface-mount architectural remote fixture is designed specifically for installations requiring a junction box, whether recessed, surface-mounted, or suspended. Engineered for easy installation, it combines performance with simplicity and style, making it a smart choice for commercial and architectural environments. Recognized with Grands Prix du Design | Gold Certification 2026. Read More…