Faced with outdated high school facilities, an extensive community engagement planning process identified and assisted in prioritizing needs; ensuring a successful plan. After passing a referendum with more than 80% approval, the project took aim at providing a learning environment fit for a future-focused education.
The reimagined environment creates a perimeter of learning spaces, exposing students to day-lit rooms with clear and easy access to support spaces. The organization of these areas, around a triad of break out spaces and a heart of shared learning spaces, supports the desire of students to collaborate and move. The collaboration hubs create a series of social and learning opportunities in a variety of scales and environments, giving students the spaces they need to succeed.
Environmental graphics reinforce the school brand and motto for students creating an exciting and engaging space for learning.
Imagine a learning space with dim artificial lighting controlled by distant switches, minimal natural illumination, and cramped corridors prone to bottlenecks – these were the challenges of the outdated 1970s high school building.
The media center, dining commons, and collaboration area now serve as the heart of the facility which connects the academic, wellness, and arts into a bright and welcoming supportive space for students and the community.
- 500 Seat Auditorium
- New Secondary Multipurpose Practice Gym
- Secure Main Entry
- Clear, inviting and flexible event entry
- Environmental Branding to engage students
The project at New Berlin's Junior/Senior High School provides modern facilities for all grade levels in the district to learn and grow. The additions and renovations aim to reorganize and enhance core educational spaces, creating a clear sense of place for both junior high and senior high school students. While different grade levels have age-appropriate spaces, shared areas are centrally located for easy access.
Facing the challenges of growing Pre-K programs and efforts to reorganize elementary schools, Richland County CUSD #1 found the construction of an early learning center was the answer they were searching for.
The Community Engagement Planning Process with Meridian CUSD #15 resulted in a clear direction, to reduce the number of campuses from four to two and concentrate resources to make these remaining two campuses healthy, safe, and educationally relevant.