Arlington High School
The design of the new Arlington High School supports interdisciplinary learning, community programs, and the town’s goal of a carbon-free future. Backed by an overwhelmingly positive town vote, the all-electric school replaces a sprawling, outdated facility with welcoming and flexible spaces for hands-on learning.
Arlington, MA
408,500 sf
9-12
1,755
LEED Platinum
24.7 kBTU/sf/yr
850 kW PV array
A central spine connects the new school’s tree-lined entrance on Massachusetts Avenue to the lower entrance, which serves the athletic fields, parking, and bikeway. Four wings—STEAM, humanities, performing arts, and athletics—plug into the spine and contain flexible classrooms, science labs, teacher planning areas, independent and project-based learning nooks, and maker and art spaces. As one moves through the building, the central spine serves as the lobby for each of the main public venues—the 800-seat auditorium, black box theater and gymnasiums—then becomes a public forum and informal social space as it cascades down into the cafeteria and lower entrance.
“The new school enables high-quality education that is active, collaborative, connected to the outside world, and purposeful.”
Kathleen Bodie | Former Superintendent, Arlington Public Schools
A variety of academic spaces maximize exploratory learning and cater to a wide range of learning styles. Classrooms are equipped with flexible furnishings and built-in cabinetry that doubles as whiteboard space to meet the needs of each lesson, while specialty classrooms offer unique learning opportunities that were not previously available.
The natural environment is woven into the learning environment through views, daylighting, and access to the outdoors. A central courtyard and outdoor amphitheater connect students to the surrounding environment and provide opportunities for outdoor learning. Within the school, daylighting strategies reduce energy consumption and natural light is maximized through the use of multi-story lightwells, skylights, and floor-to-ceiling windows.
Community programs including Menotomy Preschool and district administration offices are integrated within the high school, reinforcing its status as a town-wide resource. The preschool features colorful nature-inspired murals, tunable lighting in classrooms to help regulate behavior, and flexible, multi-purpose spaces, all supporting the well-being and educational development of Arlington’s youngest learners.
Phased Construction
The new Arlington High School was carefully planned and constructed over four phases while classes continued in the existing school just feet away, allowing education to proceed with minimal disruption throughout construction.
Awards/Credits
- Photography, Robert Benson
