At present, architects and school administrators across the nation are besieged by public voices, political groups, and vendors of security technologies who have proposed a host of solutions to school-based violence. In light of the ongoing discussion surrounding school safety, security, and school violence prevention, this paper discusses literature highlighting the impact of school security measures, the influence of the built environment on student learning and wellbeing, and how the use of Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) indicates a potential for creating schools that are both physically safe and psychologically supportive. In addition, gaps in existing literature are identified to provide direction for future research initiatives seeking to inform the planning and design of safe and supportive school facilities.