Havre de Grace Middle/High School

Located in historic Havre de Grace along the Chesapeake Bay, this replacement LEED Silver school brings together existing middle and high school communities. The high school was located at the edge of the historic city grid in two buildings bisected by a street, creating safety and security concerns and the middle school was adjacent to the high school fields.

The objective was to create one academic community while also maintaining the identities of the middle and high school populations. A “boardwalk” connects the new school site and the surrounding neighborhood to the historic city grid and repurposed high school site, bisecting the parking and bus loop on axis with the main building entrance and extending through the building and athletic fields to a crosswalk connection at the edge of the city grid.

This pathway further highlights the school’s purpose of serving the community, providing a center for educational, cultural, and recreational activities. Building materials such as brick, stone and steel reflect the fabric of the historic maritime city and reinforces the community connection.

Together, these concepts address the planning objectives and create a unique school design that celebrates the individual and encourages connections between members of the school and community.