Aledo ISD—Aledo Middle School
Architects: Huckabee
“The project represents the first time the district has split middle school—or any secondary school—into two campuses. Maintaining all students within a grade level in one middle and one high school has long been the desire of the community. However, growth precipitated the need to develop a new plan. The district engaged the community in a combined visioning effort for both a new middle school and the transformation of the existing one. The process helped articulate goals for the future and led to a conceptual framework for teaching and learning, a focus on equity, and the desire to maintain the storied traditions of their community. Using that framework, the design team retrofit the existing middle school. It serves as proof-of-concept that two schools can contribute to a united community and shared sense of pride.”
Design
“The project modernized a building that hadn’t seen significant improvements since the 80s. Solutions stemmed from: (1) the district’s goals for teaching and learning, (2) the desire for natural light, transparency, and open space, and (3) the community’s request to maintain long-standing campus traditions.
The creation of grade-level houses supports the community learning model preferred by educators. The team demolished and rebuilt the core of the building to create two houses for 7th and 8th grade. Sixth grade was incorporated into an existing 2-story classroom wing.
The den is the heart of the building and a source of nostalgia for alumni who attended the campus when it was the high school. Since the late 70s, the den served as a space for board meetings, graduations, and social engagement. The defining features of the den were retained and modernized.”
Value
“It was not feasible to demolish the building and fully reconstruct a new campus. Multiple configurations were explored with the goal of utilizing every square foot of building space and allocating dollars to areas of greatest impact.
Infrastructure, comfort, and function in older parts of the building were prioritized over aesthetic changes to the existing facade. Improvements in newer parts of the building were limited to finishes and use of flexible Furniture to modernize its function. New construction reconfigured fine arts and athletics to create equity between the programs.
The transformation focused on the main building which represented three construction periods: the original 1960s campus and additions in the 70s and 80s. Within this building, only the den and some existing exterior brick walls remained in place; the rest was taken down to structure, realigned, and re-formed in the vision of the community. The project resulted in a more connected and collaborative campus with improved flow, amenities, and infrastructure.”
Wellness
“The transformation significantly enhanced functionality and comfort. The 1960s building had undergone updates but still retained a closed-off feel with tight corridors, lack of natural light, and aging infrastructure.
In their updated middle school, the community wanted students to experience engagement, inspiration, inclusivity, and excitement. To achieve this, they identified a set of goals: library at the heart of the school; separation for 6th grade students; natural light, clear sight-lines and open space; and functional outdoor learning space.
These goals, among others, were achieved. Light, color, Furniture , and new programs enhanced the experience for students and educators. The ability to control comfort and lighting, to have working restrooms, to increase dedicated space for educators, and to learn in an environment that was visually stimulating made them feel valued.”
Community
“The community is fast growth, yet known as a small town. People stay here for generations. The concepts of tradition, pride, and excellence in education are core to their identity.
Since its inception, the district desired to keep all students within a grade level on the same campus. This project represented the first time middle school, or any secondary school, would split into two campuses. Getting it right and showing how a small town feel, tradition, and excellence could be maintained was important to the community and to gaining buy-in to the district’s long-term vision.
The nostalgia of the middle school, which had served as the high school from 1968 to 2002, was kept by maintaining the purpose of spaces like the beloved den and incorporating original elements into the design. While the school looks and functions like new, alumni who enter can still reminisce as many of their most favored elements carried through.”
Planning
“The planning effort encompassed two schools: the existing middle school and a new middle school. The projects represented the first time secondary students in the same grade were split into two campuses. The engagement of community members, along with district leaders, educators, and students, throughout visioning was key to the effort.
The effort led to a conceptual framework for the programs and types of space that achieved the district’s teaching and learning goals and captured the voice of the community as they combined nostalgia with a new era of growth. The framework informed the physical transformation of the existing middle school—creating an equitable learning environment with the new campus.
The project became proof-of-concept for the community that multiple schools doesn’t mean loss of tradition, more-so, it represents added opportunity for students to shine.”
School Transformation
“The biggest transformation was in how students feel when they enter the building. A lackluster environment isn’t conducive to learning, so the district wanted to see light, color, Furniture , and a tie to their community as methods to enhance engagement.
From a functional perspective, collaboration space, flex labs, wider corridors, and the activation of the library and den increased capacity and made every space available for learning, collaboration, and gathering.
The use of grade-level houses also increased opportunity to deepen engagement. Teachers work more efficiently and collaborate better. It’s more like a community. There’s also less opportunity for students to wander the halls as they are fully engaged within their pod”
Star of Distinction Category Winner