Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Design Firm Completes Six Schools in 2.5 Years for Maryland K–12 District

  • By Matt Jones
  • 02/27/24

The Prince George’s County Public School System in Maryland recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its sixth new school in two and a half years, according to a news release. The Feb. 21 ceremony marked the completion of The Colin L. Powell K–8 Academy, which opened in November 2023. The other five schools (Sonia Sotomayor Middle School, Drew-Freeman Middle School, Hyattsville Middle School, Kenmoor Middle School, and Walker Middle School) opened in September 2023.

The six schools are part of a 30-year, public-private partnership among the Prince George’s County Education & Community Partners consortium. The consortium’s members include developers Fengate Asset Management and Gilbane Development Company, design-builder Gilbane Building Company, architecture firm Stantec, and facility services provider Honeywell, the news release reports.

“Our design of these innovative learning environments reflects the needs of a diverse student population in Maryland. We were able to create engaging education spaces that feel connected, yet each offer their own unique aesthetic,” said Stantec Project Lead Michael Scarani. “By delivering in half the typical time, we were able to meet the district’s ambitious goals to get its students into new, modern classrooms and help PGCPS address each of its communities’ space needs.”

Each school includes features like grade-specific academic wings; media labs; STEM and STEAM labs; production studios; an indoor gymnasium; performance stages; and band, music, and dance rooms. The facilities include room for at least 1,200 students each for a total added capacity of more than 8,000 students.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Pitzer College

    Designing for Change in Higher Ed Learning Environments

    Higher education will continue to evolve, and learning environments must evolve with it. By prioritizing adaptable infrastructure, thoughtful reuse, strong energy performance, and wellness-centered design, campuses can create spaces that support learning today while remaining flexible for the future.

  • University of Kansas Breaks Ground on Entrepreneurship Hub

    The University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kan., recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new KU Entrepreneurship Hub, according to university news. The Hub is part of the university’s School of Business and will include spaces for experiential learning and programming.

  • UT System Approves First Funds for New Campus

    The University of Texas System Board of Regents recently approved funds to build the first facility of a new campus in far west Fort Worth, Texas, according to university news. UTA West will serve as a branch of the University of Texas at Arlington and is scheduled to open in fall 2028.

  • South Carolina District Starts Construction on $50M Middle School Renovation

    The Aiken County Public School District in North Augusta, S.C., recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the $50-million renovation and expansion of North Augusta Middle School, according to a news release. The project’s funding comes from the 2024 renewal of a one-cent sales tax approved by local voters.