This innovative 3-story building, spanning 86,000 gross square feet (GSF), effectively replaced a majority of the 30 portable classrooms with permanent structures. Notably, it housed the entire Science department, aligning with the STEM focus. The new building’s strategic placement at the front of the campus aimed to enhance safety and improve vehicular access.
Functionally, the ground floor of the building was designed to host essential student-services programs. This included spaces for Administration, Health Services, Counseling Services, Campus Discipline & Safety, Campus Information Technologies Support, as well as the Media Center and Career Center. Furthermore, the ground floor catered to specialized Career Technical Education (CTE) instruction spaces, catering to Computer Technologies pathways specializing in computer programming and applied engineering, notably robotics. The design also featured ample outdoor spaces, such as shaded courtyards and stadium seating areas, which doubled as flexible learning environments and social spaces.
The upper two floors of the building played host to a total of 30 classrooms, with 15 serving as general classrooms and the other 15 dedicated to science instruction. These floors also included support spaces for students and staff, along with designated Professional Learning Community (PLC) spaces on each floor. These PLC spaces were intentionally created to foster collaboration and interdisciplinary interaction among educators.
Architecturally, the building aimed to symbolize the inspirational program it housed. The “Window of Opportunity,” prominently displayed above the main entrance and adorned in the school’s signature royal blue, showcased the institution’s commitment to growth and learning. The building’s design prioritized the infusion of natural daylight, achieved through a bright and inviting building envelope. Materials such as masonry, steel, glass, and concrete were employed, creating a cohesive aesthetic that both integrated with existing campus structures and complemented the outdoor landscaped areas.