Located on a 14-acre site in West Central Pulaski County, this school campus was designed by WER Architects to respond thoughtfully to the site’s diverse topography and mature stand of timber. Rather than treating the landscape as a constraint, the design embraced the existing natural features as an integral part of the planning process, influencing the organization, scale, and placement of the buildings while minimizing the impact on the site.

WER and the building committee established three guiding themes for the school’s curriculum and incorporated them throughout the architecture and site design: E3 — Economics × Environment × Expression. These principles shaped the project’s approach to sustainability, stewardship of the surrounding landscape, and opportunities for students to explore creativity and individual expression.

The academic program was organized into two distinct but interconnected buildings: a two-story classroom building and an activity building. The classroom building was designed vertically to reduce the building footprint and preserve more of the existing site. It houses classrooms, administrative areas, a media center, a science lab, and an art lab. At the center of the building, a monumental stair within a rotunda visually connects the two floors and creates a memorable gathering point within the academic environment.

Connected to the classroom building by a covered walkway, the activity building provides spaces that support the school’s broader educational and extracurricular programs. The facility includes a cafeteria with an integrated stage, a drama room, and a second art room with dedicated gallery space. These flexible spaces support performances, exhibitions, gatherings, and hands-on creative activities, extending learning beyond the traditional classroom.