Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

New Texas Middle School Emphasizes Openness, Flexibility

  • By Dian Schaffhauser
  • 08/21/19

A Texas district recently opened its sixth middle school. Marine Creek Middle School, part of Eagle Mountain-Saginaw Independent School District, consists of a two-story, 165,000 square-foot campus, serving students in grades 6-8.

A Texas district recently opened its sixth middle school. Marine Creek Middle School, part of Eagle Mountain-Saginaw Independent School District, consists of a two-story, 165,000 square-foot campus, serving students in grades 6-8.

The architectural design, by Texas-based VLK Architects, uses non-traditional classrooms and science labs with flexible furnishings and movable tables with frosted glass serving as writable surfaces to create student collaboration spaces. The media center sports an open-access, multi-functional space with wireless technology throughout, including a large-format video wall for large-group instruction. A "think tank" area overlooking the library provides a glass-walled space where students are encouraged to collaborate, while still allowing teachers to oversee activities. An outdoor learning courtyard was designed to help bridge the gap between academics and the social and emotional well-being of students.

District stakeholders, including school leaders, teachers, students and families, told designers during its planning phases that they wanted to incorporate an architecture style true to Texas. That translated to ample transparency for connecting interior and exterior spaces, the optimization of natural light for instructional areas and use of outdoor learning environments.

A "think tank" area overlooking the library provides a glass-walled space where students are encouraged to collaborate, while still allowing teachers to oversee activities.

Just west of the campus is a walkway to the outdoor recreation area surrounding Marine Creek Lake, which is operated by the local water district. Eventually the district expects to extend the walkways to the lake and an associated trail system, which will eventually connect into the Trinity Trails in central Fort Worth.

"The vision of the school was focused on collaboration, efficiencies, safety, and quality instructional spaces," said Superintendent Jim Chadwell, in a statement. "It's certainly a beautiful facility and, as nice as all of the aesthetic comments are, a school is first and foremost designed for learning. We have created the framework for excellence to happen in this building and now we are excited to see the students and staff build on that framework for success."

The first day of classes at the school was Aug. 19.

Marine Creek Middle School administrative staff includes Principal Danny Knowles, Assistant Principal Christie Warden and Assistant Principal Whitney Wheeler.

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • Illinois State University Breaks Ground on College of Fine Arts Transformation

    Illinois State University in Normal, Ill., recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts transformation project, according to university news. The series of new constructions and renovations will upgrade spaces in Centennial East, the Center for the Visual Arts, and the Center for the Performing Arts, as well as replace the existing Centennial West facility with a new Commons Building.

  • Full Sail University Announces First Student Housing Facility

    Full Sail University in Winter Park, Fla., recently announced that development has begun on its first student housing community, according to a news release. The university is partnering with Nvision Development for construction and long-term management of the facility, which will stand five stories and have the capacity for more than 570 beds.

  • Northeastern University Breaks Ground on New Housing Community

    Northeastern University recently announced the groundbreaking of a new student housing community on its campus in Boston, Mass., according to a news release. The university is partnering with American Campus Communities (ACC) for development of the project, which will have the capacity for 1,200 students and has a scheduled completion date of fall 2028.

  • Armstrong World Industries Acquires Parallel Architectural Products

    Armstrong World Industries, provider of interior and exterior architectural applications, recently announced that it has acquired the Colorado-based Parallel Architectural Products, according to a news release.