North Olmsted City Schools Opens New $90-million Campus

The first school bell at the North Olmsted (Ohio) City Schools' $90 million facilities project—a new grade 6-12 educational, performing arts center and athletic complex—opened in September. The exterior of the building is emphasized by the late 19th-century Georgian Architecture characterized by its proportion, symmetry, and balance. More than half of the 38.5 acres of the property is located in a flood zone which posed challenges for the 315,000-square-foot campus, including creating separate entrances for the middle and high school, performing arts center, and stadium.

North Olmsted City Schools

Middle school students (grades 6-8) are organized in 6 studios, two per grade level. Each studio houses 150 students, and consists of four general classrooms, one science lab, two small-group rooms, teacher prep room with storage, central collaboration area with presentation platform and adjoining restroom facilities.

The high school (grades 9-12) features labs on the first floor while core classrooms are located on the second floor. Each wing has a defined collaborative area surrounded by classrooms and small-group rooms. Classroom and adjacent spaces are technology-rich with flexible furniture. Transparency of rooms and open hallways provide clear lines of sight enhancing the monitoring and supervision of students.

Designed as a hub rather than a space for lunch, the cafeteria features the school’s orange color and offers high-top tables, moveable furniture, Wi-Fi and charging stations.

The interior color palette, patterns and classical elements such as niches, alcoves and columns provide a sophisticated twist of the 21st-century design flexibility. Color scheme for the middle school is energetic while the high school scheme is calm and sophisticated. Symbolizing the district’s rich history in the arts, an 850-seat performing arts center with oversized proscenium opening evokes a feeling of professional theater. Adjacent to the campus is a new 4,000-seat stadium which features artificial turf football/soccer field and track. Heated lockers rooms, restrooms, and concession stands are located below the stands.

Featured

  • Minnesota District Completes Major Renovations, Expansions to High School

    White Bear Lake Area Schools in White Bear Lake, Minn., recently announced that it has completed the renovation and expansion of White Bear Lake Area High School, according to a news release. The school’s final addition, a new 845-seat Performing Arts Center, was finished in November.

  • dormitory with green roofs, solar panels, balconies, and labeled architectural annotations

    2025 Residence Hall Design Trends Focus on Sustainability, Flexibility, Community, Technology, and Well-Being

    With the most technically advanced Gen Z (born between 1997 and 2012) at the helm, residence hall design trends for 2025 look to focus on flexible spaces, health and wellness, sustainability, community, and digital technology.

  • Electrifying Bus Fleets

    Now is an excellent time for K-12 “yellow” school buses, college campus transportation, and public transit systems to transition to zero-emission electric buses instead of traditional gas or diesel-powered models.

  • bar graph with the bars made out of abstract cinder blocks and other construction materials

    Spaces4Learning 2025 Trends in K–12: Materials & Construction

    With 2025 well underway, it’s time to take a look at some broader trends submitted by you, our Spaces4Learning readership. We asked for your thoughts on topics like classroom design, health & safety, materials & construction, and technology in both K–12 and higher-education environments. Below is a roundup of 2025 trends in K–12 materials and construction from the experts in the trenches.