Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

California High School Opens New Classroom Building for 7th-, 8th-Graders

  • By Matt Jones
  • 08/18/26

Key Takeaways

  • Santa Rosa City Schools completed a new 16,000-square-foot classroom building at Piner High School to accommodate seventh- and eighth-grade students as the campus transitions to a Junior/Senior High School.
  • The two-story facility includes 11 academic classrooms, a dedicated science classroom, support spaces, gender-neutral restrooms, and an outdoor learning courtyard, with an emphasis on natural light and indoor air quality.
  • Using a design-build approach and the pre-checked Folia classroom system, QKA and Blach Construction completed the project’s design and construction in just 15 months.

Santa Rosa City Schools in Santa Rosa, Calif., recently announced the completion of a new classroom building for Piner High School. As the campus transitions to a Junior/Senior High School, the facility will play home to the school’s new population of seventh- and eighth-grade students. The district partnered with Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA) for the project’s design and Blach Construction for construction, according to a news release.

The new, two-story building measures 16,000 square feet and features eleven academic classrooms, dedicated science classroom, support spaces, gender-neutral restrooms, and an outdoor learning courtyard. It was designed with features like natural light and indoor air quality in mind.

“The successful completion of this facility is a testament to the collaborative spirit of our district leadership, dedicated faculty members, and our project team,” said Monica Thomas, district superintendent. “This building does more than provide space; it creates a home for our new junior high students and ensures a smooth, positive transition for our entire Piner High School community.”

The design and construction team used a design-build delivery process and a proprietary classroom building solution called Folia. According to the news release, “Created in partnership with Blach, QKA, and GPLA, Inc. Structural Engineers and Builders, the Division of State Architect (DSA) pre-checked design provides modern, sustainable, and flexible learning environments with an accelerated approval process.” Design and construction were completed in 15 months.

“Seeing this project come to life is incredibly rewarding,” said QKA President and CEO Aaron Jobson. “By leveraging the efficiency of the Folia system, we were able to provide the Piner High School community with a high-performing, future-ready environment that supports its long-term educational goals.”

About the Author

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

Featured

  • UCF Modernizes College of Hospitality Management

    The University of Central Florida in Orlando, Fla., recently completed a major renovation effort for the Rosen College of Hospitality Management, according to a news release. The project modernized 77,600 square feet worth of academic classrooms, teaching labs, and collaborative spaces to support both students and faculty.

  • Minnesota District Opens New PreK–12 School

    Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop Schools in Gibbon, Minn., recently announced that construction is complete on a new, $68.9-million school for students in grades PreK–12, according to a news release.

  • Barbara Vick Western Branch

    Barbara Vick Western Branch

    Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. The Barbara Vick Western Branch has been recognized with an EDS 2026 Grand Prize award in the category of Renovation.

  • Indiana University Launches Capital Campus in D.C.

    Indiana University recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new IU Capital Campus in Washington, D.C., according to university news. The eight-story facility will provide a central hub for the university’s existing programs and business operations based in D.C., uniting them under one roof and providing the opportunity to expand.