Building codes specify a minimum square footage *per person* for educational spaces. To determine the occupancy rating, you'd need:
1. The local building code: This dictates the square footage per person for educational occupancies. It might be 15 sq ft/person, 20 sq ft/person, or another value.
2. The room's area: The total square footage of the classroom.
Once you have these, the calculation is:
Occupancy Rating = Room Area (sq ft) / (Square Footage per Person from Building Code)
The result is the maximum number of people the room can legally accommodate according to the code. If the calculated occupancy is less than 50, then the room does *not* meet code for 50 students. If it's greater than or equal to 50, then it *does* meet code (at least in terms of occupancy). Note that other code requirements beyond just square footage per occupant will also apply.