HMFH Architects
Central Tree Middle School
Rutland, MA
The new Rutland middle school was named by its students, in grades 5-8, who wished to reflect the town’s geographic position at the very center of Massachusetts.HMFH collaborated with teachers and administrators in developing the most suitable program for Rutland’s first middle school.
- Grades 5-8
- Students 450
- Size 65,000 ft2
Adopting an academic program centered on team teaching, HMFH designed the academic wing of this 450-student school to house one classroom cluster per grade. Each cluster contains four standard classrooms and one science classroom as well as a team office and storage area. All clusters are centered around an activity core which is anchored by a technology lab, art classroom, and Learning Resource Center. The layout reinforces the middle school’s project-oriented, multidisciplinary approach to learning.
The new school is a significant new building and resource in this small community so we planned for all public spaces in a wing separate from the academic core. Performing arts facilities, the cafetorium, and gymnasium are used throughout the school day and serve the community in the evenings and on weekends.
The new Rutland middle school was named by its students, in grades 5-8, who wished to reflect the town’s geographic position at the very center of Massachusetts.
