East Middle School

East Middle School
East Middle School

East Middle School

JOPLIN, MISSOURI

  • Joplin School District
  • New Construction
  • 125,800 SF total
  • $30.4 million

A shared building with a well-defined threshold eases the transition from elementary to middle school, while a bold, vibrant color palette set this young adult space apart from elementary.

Sharing a site with Soaring Heights Elementary School, it’s important that the architecture, design and environmental graphics emphasize the maturity, focus and confidence that comes with young adulthood.

This school replaces the middle school lost on May 22, 2011, when the worst tornado disaster on record to date in the United States hit to the City of Joplin. The Superintendent called this effort “Operation Rebuild.”

Heartland Middle School

Heartland Middle School

In Association with Frankfurt, Short, Bruza

EDMOND, OKLAHOMA

  • Edmond Public Schools
  • New Construction
  • 150,000 SF
  • $27 million

Learning happens outside traditional academic neighborhoods. An outdoor classroom and an exterior courtyard encourage students to take learning outside.

Designing for middle school students presents unique challenges because these young adults are five years removed from teddy bears but five years away from driving. They’re in the process of significant developmental changes, so flexible spaces that encourage adaptable teaching methods for every type of learner are critical.

Looking for opportunities to take students outside of the traditional classroom was a priority for Edmond Public Schools’ newest middle school.

Heartland Middle School

In Association with Frankfurt, Short, Bruza

EDMOND PUBLIC SCHOOLS

  • Edmond, Oklahoma
  • New Construction
  • 150,000 sq. ft.
  • $27 million

Learning happens outside traditional academic neighborhoods. An outdoor classroom and an exterior courtyard encourage students to take learning outside.

Designing for middle school students presents unique challenges because these young adults are five years removed from teddy bears but five years away from driving. They’re in the process of significant developmental changes, so flexible spaces that encourage adaptable teaching methods for every type of learner are critical.

Looking for opportunities to take students outside of the traditional classroom was a priority for Edmond Public Schools’ newest middle school.

Academic areas are specific to every type of learner and include:

  • performance based
  • project based
  • elevated and casual/social learning

Summit Trail Middle School

Summit Trail Middle School

OLATHE, KANSAS

  • Olathe Public Schools
  • New Construction
  • 140,000 SF
  • $31 million

Learning has no bounds at the new Summit Trail Middle School.

In order to accommodate their growing student population, Olathe Public School’s needed a 10th middle school. Adapted from their most recently completed middle school, Summit Trail provides a familiar and functional space while pushing the boundaries of customized learning.

Open corridors blur the line of circulation and usable space. Located in each learning pod are “genius bars” with fully integrated technology for small group collaboration. Glazing provides transparency from classrooms to common spaces, encouraging breakout participation. Moveable furniture elevates the learning environment by providing students and teachers the flexibility to customize their space at any given moment.

Summit Ridge Middle School

Summit Ridge
Summit Ridge

Summit Ridge Middle School

LITTLETON, COLORADO

  • Jefferson County Public Schools
  • Addition/Renovation
  •  13,000 SF
  • $4.8 million

Visual connectivity and strategically designed collaborative spaces have led to an evolution of learning styles at this newly combined middle school. 

Jeffco Public Schools in Denver, Colorado recently decided to transition their sixth-grade students into middle-school, and needed to accommodate for the addition of 400 students. The existing building hosted traditional classrooms and learning areas, challenging the design team to seamlessly integrate the two buildings while incorporating collaborative learning elements into the addition. Hollis + Miller worked directly with the principal, faculty, community members, and students to create a design that would introduce collaboration spaces and a learning stair alongside new classrooms and science labs. Renovations to the school’s STEAM classrooms allow more students access to hands on education with computer aided design, engineering, and fabrication.

Colorado SKIES Academy

COLORADO SKIES ACADEMY

  • Centennial, Colorado
  • New Construction
  • 23,000 SF
  • $7 million

The STEM curriculum and project-based learning introduces young students to aviation early on.

Colorado Skies Academy is a new Charter School for grades 6–8, located at the Centennial Airport in Centennial, CO. The two-story, 23,000-square-foot facility is also affiliated with the adjacent Wings Over the Rockies Aviation Museum housing over 50 vintage military aircraft.

The project-based learning/STEM curriculum is flight-based, teaching students many different facets of aviation, and is supplemented by a focus on social-emotional development. The learning environment itself supports each of these endeavors. The Exploratorium allows students to collaborate in groups or complete individual work in a setting inspiring out-of-the-box thinking, while active corridors offer a choice in learning spaces. The unique shape of the Exploratorium resembles a rocket booster, and vibrant graphics project the aviation and aerospace theme throughout. The Spread Your Wings program flies in teachers from Colorado’s front range for exposure to the program as professional development and in turn, introduces students to experts in the industry.

Walden Middle School

Walden Middle School

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI

  • Park Hill School District
  • New Construction
  • 114,500 SF
  • $34.4 million

2021 A4LE John Shaw Award Recipient

Visual connectivity and strategically designed collaborative spaces have led to an evolution of learning styles at this newly combined middle school. 

Driving up to the building, you immediately feel the sense of space and pride created by Walden Middle School. Exterior signage and artwork can be illuminated with interchangeable colors to celebrate special occasions and holidays. The space was designed and built to give students access to outside daylight, while also ensuring safety and security as well as the durability of the building. This feeling of openness and transparent connectivity has attributed to the lack of bullying, according to the principal. Lockdown features also can be activated at the push of a button, securing 75 percent of the building.

In addition, the three academic wings are flexible and include operable walls, allowing for customization and collaboration throughout. The wings are connected by the gallery-like commons, where students’ work can be showcased, as well as the media center. The green building is the first LEED V4 certified school building in the region and demonstrates how the design played a crucial role in extending the building’s life cycle while incorporating impactful and sustainable features.

Patton Junior High School

PATTON JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

  • Fort Leavenworth School District
  • Renovation & Addition
  • 108,000 SF
  • $43.3 million

Previously a historic elementary school, the newly renovated junior high offers state-of-the-art facilities and programs for 6th through 9th grades on base at Fort Leavenworth.

Designed with a strong concept of community, history and tradition, Patton Junior High now boasts flexible learning spaces for students. The transformative years between 6th and 9th grade can be difficult, especially with the added stress of moving cities. Over 50% of Patton students are only able to spend one school year on base, so the district worked diligently to co-create a building that would instill excitement in students, leaving a lasting impact on families.

The central media center, open courtyard and commons serve as the heart of the building. Two new auxiliary gyms, and programs such as industrial technology, culinary arts, a greenhouse and more provide students with competitive opportunities, laying the groundwork for high school and further education. Historical graphics lining the grand entry hall tell the compelling story behind the school’s namesake.