“The best school environments don’t just support learning—they ignite imagination, nurture belonging, and empower every student to thrive.”
JCJ Architecture
Barack H. Obama Magnet University School
New Haven, CT
Client: New Haven Public Schools
Size: 63,000 sf
Completion: 2022
Architect: JCJ Architecture / Pickard Chilton
General Contractor: Giordano Construction Co
Originally located on Orchard Street in New Haven, the Strong School was opened in 1808 and has been relocated multiple times within in the City of New Haven. With a vision “to empower 21st Century learners by giving them the communication, academic, and social skills necessary to succeed in a technologically advancing world,” this PreK-4 lab school was relocated in 2019 to a new site on the campus of Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU). From this location, the School and the University have been able to deepen their collaboration and provide a dynamic project-based educational experience for students and valuable opportunities for students and faculty of SCSU’s School of Education.
Frost Barber of Louisiana
Truman Early Childhood Learning Center
Lafayette, LA
Client: Lafayette Parish School System
Size: 73,000
Completion: 2024
Architect: Grace Design, DLR Group
General Contractor: The Lemoine Company
Truman Early Childhood Center is designed to meet the diverse needs of a thriving community, providing essential resources and support for early childhood learning. Truman is tailored to promote curiosity, creativity, and social skills, ensuring that each child receives the necessary attention and care. Truman aims to set the tone for inclusion and equity while creating opportunities for sensory learning, active play, and flexibility.
Truman Early Childhood Education Center utilizes a unique pod system to provide a fun educational environment for young learners and teachers to form close-knit communities. Divided into five diverse pods - Forest, Sky, Meadow, Lake, and Stream- this system enhances student engagement and supports social development.
JCJ Architecture
New Fairfield High School
New Fairfield, CT
Client: New Fairfield Public Schools
Size: 140,000 sf
Completion: 2023
Architect: JCJ Architecture
General Contractor: O&G Industries
The New Fairfield Public Schools engaged JCJ Architecture to redesign and replace significant components of a 1970s-era structure that was deemed by the town to have exceeded it useful life. The High School was co-located/connected to the Town’s Middle School and shared significant core spaces. The new 146,000 sf High School was constructed adjacent to the existing one. Once the new facility was completed, the existing classroom wing and auditorium were demolished; the original gymnasium and natatorium remained. The middle school and high school are separate buildings connected by a pedestrian plaza. With significant grade changes across the site, the building was designed in a 3-story configuration.
Meteor Education
Georgetown Future Ready Complex
Georgetown, TX
Client: Georgetown Independent School District
Size: 241,000
Completion: 2024
Faced with rapid population growth, Georgetown ISD set out to upgrade its approach to career and technical education (CTE). Existing programs were spread across three high schools and relied on outdated, makeshift equipment that limited both student access and real-world readiness.
The district responded with the creation of the Future Ready Complex, a 241,000-square-foot facility designed to centralize all CTE programs and equip them with modern, industry-grade tools and furnishings. To bring this vision to life, GISD partnered with Meteor Education and Advanced Technologies Consultants, who guided the planning, procurement, and installation of furniture and equipment.
Kimball International
Perks
5 Shifts Transforming School Design
School design is evolving quickly, driven by a convergence of technology, flexibility, and human-centered priorities. From AI-powered learning tools and multi-use classrooms to smarter infrastructure, wellness-focused environments, and visible sustainability strategies, today’s schools are being rethought from the ground up. These five innovations highlight how districts, designers, and manufacturers are working together to create spaces that are more adaptable, connected, and responsive to how students and educators actually learn and teach.
