Maryland to See New $180M High School

Montgomery County Public Schools recently approved design plans for a new, $180-million high school in Gaithersburg, Md. Local news reports that Crown High School will stand five stories and have the capacity for about 2,200 students. The design also leaves room for potential expansion to house up to 2,700 students.

The school will include a gymnasium open to the public, dining space, an indoor amphitheater, and space for special education programs. It will also feature a child development program, an administrative sing, a performing arts wing, a media center, and classrooms and lab space. The campus will feature multiple courtyards, and open space accounts for about 65% of the layout, according to Bethesda Magazine. It will also take advantage of sustainability initiatives like solar panels and geothermal energy.

The main purpose of the school’s construction is to ease overcrowding at five other district high schools. The land on which the school will be built is owned by the city of Gaithersburg. The plot has been designated as a future school site since 2006 on the condition that construction had to begin within 20 years, according to an arrangement with the mayor and the City Council.

Construction is scheduled for completion in 2026, although it may stretch into 2027. The district is partnering with general contractor Keller Construction Management and architecture firm Stantec Architecture.

About the Author

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

Featured

  • nursing students talk while studying in a hallway

    Elsevier Launches VR Simulation Solution for Nursing Students

    Elsevier has introduced Shadow Health Lab with Virtual Reality, a simulation platform that allows nursing students to interact with virtual patients and build clinical judgment skills in a safe, realistic environment.

  • Minnesota District Converts Middle School into Community Hub

    White Bear Lake Area Schools in White Bear Lake, Minn., recently announced the end of a major renovation project that converted a former middle school into a new centralized district and community hub, according to a news release.

  • Year-Round Schools Require Year-Round Indoor Air Quality Planning

    While many schools are out for the summer, year-round schools follow a more “balanced” schedule with shorter, more frequent breaks spaced throughout the school year. Even though this offers educational benefits, these facilities have less downtime for building maintenance. This can become an issue when facilities managers overlook the importance of routine HVAC maintenance and air duct cleaning services.

  • Chicago District Completes Construction on New Elementary School

    North Chicago School District 187 in North Chicago, Ill., recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Forrestal Elementary School, according to a news release. The new school marks a major investment in military-connected students and families at Naval Station Great Lakes.