The Academies at South Mountain
Phoenix Union High School District
Phoenix, Arizona
This renovation was designed specifically to align with and support the new learning environment at the school. Formerly South Mountain High School, the campus has rebranded to become The Academies at South Mountain which features preparatory and career readiness academies that include Science and Technology; Public and Social Services; Aerospace and Engineering; and Media Arts and Design. With just 600 students self-selected into each academy, kids experience a smaller, more intimate learning environment where teachers and staff can focus on each individual, providing personal academic, emotional and social support.
Now, after the complete renovation of more than 180,000 square feet of space, large wayfinding signage clearly differentiate the academies with distinct color schemes assigned to each. Although a few shared buildings remain, for the most part, each academy has its own buildings, classrooms, labs and other supportive spaces. Mechanical systems have been completely upgraded, floors are polished concrete that requires minimal maintenance and state-of-the-art computer labs are now installed throughout the campus.