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Philadelphia Middle School Facility Earns LEED Gold Certification

  • By Matt Jones
  • 05/05/26

Key Takeaways

  • The Alternative Middle Years (AMY) at James Martin Middle School in Philadelphia earned LEED Gold certification, highlighting a strong commitment to sustainability and healthy learning environments.
  • The 90,000-square-foot facility was developed through a partnership between the school district, architects, and construction firms to support 21st-century education for 500 middle school students.
  • Key design features—such as green roofs, natural daylighting, improved air quality, and outdoor learning spaces—aim to enhance student well-being, environmental stewardship, and educational outcomes.

The Alternative Middle Years (AMY) at James Martin Middle School in Philadelphia, Penn., recently received a LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, according to a news release. The School District of Pennsylvania partnered with KSS Architects on the project, which serves students in grades 6–8 and places special emphasis on 21st-century learning and environmental sustainability.

The 90,000-square-foot school opened in January and currently serves 500 students. The district also partnered with Mosaic Development Partners JV and Daniel J. Keating Company for the building’s construction.

Photo courtesy of Kendon Photography

"Achieving LEED Gold at AMY at James Martin is the realization of a vision shared by everyone who touched this project — from the District leadership who championed a healthier learning environment, to the trades who executed it, to the Port Richmond community who will steward it for generations," said KSS Architects Partner Mayva Donnon, AIA, LEED AP. "For us, sustainability is inseparable from educational equity. Every daylit classroom, every improvement to indoor air quality, every square foot of green roof translates into better conditions and outcomes for students and teachers."

Design elements in the four-story facility include sustainable landscaping instead of asphalt; a green roof supporting seasonal plantings and stormwater collection; pollinator habitats; an edible garden bed; natural daylighting throughout the facility; and acoustics that minimize noise and support the wellness of students, faculty, and staff.

About the Author

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

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