The students of Alexandria have high hopes for their new high school. In 2010 they came together with the community and developed a vision for the new high school as “an inviting and sustainable community that mirrors the District’s rich tradition, provides a flexible digital learning environment and serves as a regional center for academics, the arts, and activities for all ages.” Thus was the inspiration for the design of the new Alexandria Area High School, showcasing 280,000 square feet of the best of the next kind of 21st Century learning space. The school opened its doors in the Fall of 2014 to 1,400 eager students in grades 9-12.
The design was conceived as a village of learning communities that share an open light filled community commons, the heart and soul of the village. This ‘village’ includes both an Activity Center complete with a Fitness Center that is open to the public; and a Performing Arts Center featuring a 1,000-seat theater designed in collaboration with several community arts groups. The bulk of the academic programming is offered in 4 ‘academies’ in two 3-level academic wings, small learning environments that feature a vast array of flexible learning spaces bathed in natural light and drenched in technology. The project team is pursuing LEED Silver certification for the building as well, a reflection of the community’s aspirations for and commitment to a sustainable future. This project was designed in collaboration with JLG Architects.