A new K-8 school to serve 1,200 students in the Santa Rosa County School District was needed. The thoughtful design is the new standard for K-8 schools. This two-story facility features three wings on each floor, including 25 primary classrooms, 20 intermediate and middle school classrooms, and 23 exceptional student education rooms. The design incorporates sustainable practices and Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles, setting a standard for future K-8 schools in the county.  

 The design features a central 2-story atrium, named the Hub, which incorporates the school’s central stairs and provides a gathering space with good supervision of the students throughout the day. Supervision of students where different age groups interact was a key concern of the school’s administration. The site had a limited construction area due to existing wetlands, which helped drive the compact 2-story pinwheel design. This school is a prototype for the school district for K-8 schools, and the compact design works well on smaller sites.