Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

California Junior High School Completes Conversion to Middle School

  • By Matt Jones
  • 03/19/24

The Fremont Unified School District in Fremont, California, recently finished a multi-phase conversion to Thornton Middle School that will increase the school’s student population by almost 50 percent with the addition of sixth-grade students, according to a news release. The district partnered with Quattrocchi Kwok Architects and Blach Construction for the project that totaled 45,000 square feet of new construction and 57,000 square feet of renovation and modernization.

The campus conversion includes a new, two-story administration building featuring student support services and a library; five new two-story classroom buildings that were completed in 2022; and upgrades to all existing classroom buildings, multipurpose buildings, and locker rooms.

“The modern and flexible educational and support spaces that now make up Thornton Middle School provide each grade level with inspiring facilities to learn and grow,” said QKA Principal John Dybczak. “This has been a complex and fulfilling project to see through to the finish line, and the outcome is a testament to the teamwork of all parties involved.”

Sustainability features include solar-readiness, metal roofing panels, energy-efficient windows, high-efficiency mechanical systems and water-efficient plumbing systems, eco-friendly interior systems, and LED lighting. Renovations also saw the introduction of bio-swales for stormwater management and drought-tolerant landscaping.

“With every aspect of the campus affected by the multiple phases of construction, advance planning and coordination were invaluable to project success,” said Blach Project Executive Brad Fannin. “From the prefabrication of wall panels to the sequencing of work, we employed solutions from the outset that would maintain functionality and safety for Thornton’s students and staff.”

About the Author

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

Featured

  • Chartwells Launches Campus Dining Evaluation Framework

    Contract food-service management provider Chartwells Higher Education recently announced the launch of BLUEPRINT, according to a news release. The evaluation framework was designed to provide a data-driven and customizable roadmap towards optimizing campus dining services and, by extension, the student experience.

  • Stanford Completes Construction on Graduate School of Education Facility

    Stanford University in Stanford, Calif., recently announced the end of construction on a new home for its Graduate School of Education, according to a news release. The university partnered with McCarthy Building Companies on the 160,000-square-foot project, which involved two major renovations and one new construction effort.

  • University of Oklahoma Announces New Campus Master Plan

    The University of Oklahoma in Norman, Okla., recently announced that it will soon launch a new, comprehensive Campus Master Plan to guide the campus’ physical development during the next decade, according to a news release.

  • Spaces4Learning Trends & Predictions for Educational Facilities in 2026: Part II

    As education leaders look toward 2026, the design of K–12 and higher education facilities is being reshaped by powerful, converging forces. Survey respondents point to the rapid growth of Career and Technical Education, deeper alignment with workforce and industry needs, and the accelerating influence of AI and emerging technologies.