2011 Exhibition of School
Planning and Architecture
Charles R. Drew High School
Riverdale, GA
New Construction
High School
Perkins + Will
Charles R. Drew High School
Charles R. Drew High School
Main Site Diagram
Project Overview
Perkins+Will was asked to design a new high
school for Clayton County Public Schools
which would house 1850 students, the
school’s students would come from 5
surrounding high schools in order to alleviate
overcrowding at those facilities. The climate
in which Drew High School was designed
posed many challenges, the biggest of which
was the school system was in the midst of
losing its accreditation due to poor
leadership at various administrative levels. In
addition to unstable leadership at the
administrative
level,
the
academic
performance of the students in the district
was below the state levels and well below
national levels. These factors combined with
a district whose population has a very high
poverty rate made for a complex project
within a district that is facing significant
challenges. Responsive planning and design
was a necessity and therefore the
incorporation of several large scale
educational planning concepts was the clear
strategy moving forward. The academy
structure, smaller learning communities and
a focus on career paths have become the
signature planning and design features of
Drew High School.
9th Grade Academy
Research shows that the majority of high
school students who drop out do so after
their 9th grade year. The design of a small
academy within a larger school creates
increased interaction between students and
faculty that will positively affect student
engagement and achievement. Drew High
School has a ninth grade academy with its
own administrative offices and its own dining
commons. These ninth grade students only
leave their house for art, music and physical
education.
Learning Communities
Smaller Learning Communities, the school
within a school concept applied to a large
high school has proven to have great results
on student success. By dividing the school
into academic houses, students and faculty
create
stronger
relationships,
more
mentoring occurs, and academics excel.
Outside the 9th Grade Academy remainder of
the building is divided into three smaller
learning communities which can be used for
career focused academies or to support
various magnet programs.
Assistant
principals and counselors are distributed
throughout these learning communities
making supervision and support readily
available.
Career Technology Labs
Historically career or vocational education
has been relegated to the back of house
areas in high schools. In a district where 60%
of the graduates go directly into the
workforce, these programs are essential and
therefore are highlighted along the main
circulation spine at Drew HS. The career
technology labs are located at the front of
each learning community and showcase a
curriculum that has previously been
dismissed in educational planning. The
placement of the five career technology labs
on the main circulation spine creates
exposure to every student walking the halls.
These labs are places where hands on,
project based learning is taking place.
Students who are not inspired by the
traditional classroom often shine in these
environments. Project based learning is how
the working world works, working in teams
on assignments and then presenting your
work to a group. Each lab has several working
areas which challenge the students and
develop cognitive skills, social skills, and
academic skills all of which contribute to a
culture of lifelong learning.
Career Technology Labs
Career technology labs in this building
include culinary arts, engineering, health
occupations and law and justice. The school
has strong relationships with local businesses
to promote graduates who can enter the
workforce with skills and training. Most
notable of these partnerships is with
Southern Regional Hospital which is located
at the end of the street which serves the
school. This strong alliance is the reason that
Drew High School has dedicated two of its
five career labs to health occupations.
Planning and Architecture
All of the educational planning decisions have
corresponding architectural features which
help to reinforce and enliven the role of
planning in the facility. At the intersection of
each academy to the main circulation spine
many events occur, architecturally the roof
line shifts providing clerestory light into a
terrific 3 story space, educationally the
career tech labs participate through generous
glazing, and bold colors identify a sense of
place. At each these intersections there is
also a monumental stair that provides a
gathering place for students to meet, study,
and work as groups.
IMAGE
IMAGE
Gymnasium
First Floor Plan
Insert large format floor plan
Note: Please add additional slides for additional floors
Second Floor Plan
Insert large format floor plan
Note: Please add additional slides for additional floors
Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture
2010 Project Data
Submitting Firm :
Project Role
Project Contact
Title
Address
City, State or Province, Country
Phone
Perkins + Will
Architect
Barbara Crum
Principal in Charge
1315 Peachtree Street
Atlanta, GA 30316
404-873-2300
Joint Partner Firm:
Project Role
Project Contact
Title
Address
City, State or Province, Country
Phone
Not Applicable
Other Firm:
Project Role
Project Contact
Title
Address
City, State or Province, Country
Phone
Construction Firm:
Project Role
Project Contact
Title
Address
City, State or Province, Country
Phone
Winter Construction
General Contractor
Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture
2010 Project Details
Project Name
Charles R. Drew High School
City
Riverdale
State
GA
District Name
Clayton County Public Schools
Supt/President
Dr. Stephanie Phillips
Occupancy Date
7/15/2009
Grades Housed
9 through 12
Capacity(Students)
1850
Site Size (acres)
155 - total site; 67 - high school site
Gross Area (sq. ft.)
309100
Per Occupant(pupil)
167
gross/net please indicate
309,100sf / 216,100sf (1.43 grossing factor)
Design and Build?
No
If yes, Total Cost:
Includes:
If no,
Site Development:
$7,866,000
Building Construction:
$49,770,580
Fixed Equipment:
$1,520,250
Other:
$765,689 (technology)
Total:
$54,677,350
Charles R. Drew High School