New High School > Project History > Schematic Design Review

After a comprehensive survey of the SASD community and the SAHS faculty, the New High School Design Steering Committee (NHDSC) established twelve (12) design principles that would direct the new high school project. Below are links to descriptions of the features of the schematic design (presented by Mr. Breslin to the NHDSC on December 8th, 2004) categorized by each design principle.

Click on a design principle to view the schematic design features: Completed by Jack Silva, December 13, 2004

• Design Principle #1 -- To best assure the safety of students in a modern public school environment.
• Design Principle #2 -- To maintain the feeling of “a small school within a large school” by creating a lower academic house (Grades 9-10), an upper academic house (Grades 11-12), and effectively located common areas.
• Design Principle #3 -- To create instructional spaces and incorporate technology that will meet the needs of growing and changing subject areas.
• Design Principle #4 -- To promote curricular integration and authentic learning within each academic house.
• Design Principle #5 -- To carefully evaluate and apply the best practices of high performance (environmentally sound) school buildings during the planning, design, construction and operational phases.
• Design Principle #6 -- To promote cooperative planning and teamwork among SAHS teachers and staff.
• Design Principle #7 -- To facilitate partnerships with universities, community organizations, and businesses to promote the goals of the Souderton Area High School.
• Design Principle #8 -- To provide greater distance learning opportunities for all members of the SAHS community.
• Design Principle #9 -- To establish more efficient and successful sports programs at the high school (9-12) level.
• Design Principle #10 -- To design a school that supports both school and community activities (i.e. community sports programs, health services, public service, community education programs.)
• Design Principle #11 -- To design a school that has the ability to readily expand to meet projected or unforeseen population growth.
• Design Principle #12 -- To always keep the project budget in focus and to exercise sound business practices, such as life cycle cost analysis, when evaluating design options.