There’s a reason why the stacking desk is often called the “student table desk.” With its spacious work surface, it might as well be a table, making it ideal for presenting science projects, dioramas, and the like.

Individual stacking desks can accommodate groups of two to four students, depending on the task at hand, while several can be pushed together to accommodate much larger groups. They can also be pushed out of the way entirely to make room for lessons that don’t involve desks at all.

Bulky tables, on the other hand, get in the way of collaborative learning, creating a barrier to engagement. They might be able to accommodate several students, but they make it impossible to reconfigure the room swiftly and easily (and without injury) if students need to work in a different layout.

The extended edge is arguably the peninsula desk’s greatest feature. Indeed, it’s what separates the desk from more traditional workspaces. The overhanging tabletop is especially valuable for educators because it gives them the perfect place to confer with students in a low-stress, one-on-one environment. Their students simply have to pull up a chair if they want to chat.