The design is centered on ten academic learning neighborhoods. Each is structured to enhance staff and student collaboration and has the flexibility to accommodate a variety of teaching and learning styles. Essential elements of the school, which was designed and constructed on an active military campus, include high-performance learning features, including a central commons with a performance stage and Spanish stairs, a dining area, a gymnasium, and a small black-box theater. Typical school spaces–including an art room, a music room, computer labs, administrative offices, teacher workrooms, and a video production studio–work well when partnered with the learning neighborhoods.
The school is LEED Silver certified and uses renewable energy from solar panels as well as a wind turbine. The target goal: to achieve 40% energy efficiency. A partial green roof, energy-efficient lighting, and an energy dashboard not only contribute to that goal’s achievement but also are referenced in the school’s curriculum as a 21st century educational tool.
