HMFH collaborated with teachers and administrators in developing the most suitable program for Rutland's first middle school. Adopting the team cluster concept, HMFH designed the academic wing of this 450-student school to house one classroom cluster per grade. Each cluster contains four standard classrooms, one science classroom, a team office, and a storage area. All are centered around an activity core which is anchored by a technology lab, art classroom, and Learning Resource Center with computer classroom. The layout reinforces the middle school's project-oriented, multidisciplinary approach to learning.

Because the new school is a significant new building and resource in this small community, it is designed with all public spaces in a wing separate from the academic core. Performing arts facilities, cafetorium, and gymnasium are used throughout the school day and continue to serve the community in the evenings and on weekends.