New York City’s first new public high school in 60 years opened to students on September 19.
Designed by Ennead Architects, East Harlem Scholars Academy High School aligns with the East Harlem Tutorial Program’s (EHTP) goal to familiarize its students with a collegiate-like environment in preparation for their future academic transition.
“We hope this serves as a model for future public schools throughout the city for years to come,” said Steven Chu, a design partner at Ennead, in a prepared statement.
High school encourages study and research
The 70,000-sf building provides students with spaces needed to support a flexible, enhanced academic schedule, and to accommodate programming across all EHTP schools. The building’s six stories include 25 classrooms, an art and music room, and fully equipped labs for biology, chemistry, and physics.
The school also features a college access suite that encourages study and research, and provides college counseling, SAT and Regents test prep, and EHTP’s flagship College Mentoring Program. The building’s design includes break-out and small-group study areas.
To fit the needs of all students, including those who are neurodivergent, the design team incorporated special lighting and sound, as well as ample acoustical absorption within the walls of the school’s lobby and cafeteria. The design of the classrooms and stairwells lets in natural light and takes into account visibility to reinforce openness and transparency.
School features sustainable design
The school’s amenities include a full-sized gym, a Black Box Theater, and cafeteria, with an eye toward making the school a community hub. To the right of the cafeteria is a backyard terrace. And the building’s glass façade offers generous views of the city.
Sustainability is also on display. To mitigate the effects of flooding, the high school, located on 104th Street and First Avenue, is in a designated flood zone. The lobby is lifted three feet above ground level. And a blue roof captures stormwater for easier drainage.
East Harlem Scholars Academy High School consolidates the 9th, 10th, and 11th grades, which had been operating out of temporary buildings at 96th and 106th streets on Second Avenue. The new school serves 326 students, 67% of whom are Hispanic, and 28% are Black.
Related Stories
| Jan 23, 2014
Pennsylvania owes school districts $1B for construction projects
The Pennsylvania Department of Education owes about $1 billion to numerous school districts for about 350 state-approved renovation and construction projects.
| Jan 22, 2014
SOM-designed University Center uses 'sky quads,' stacked staircases to promote chance encounters
The New School's vertical campus in Manhattan houses multiple functions, including labs, design studios, a library, and student residences, in a 16-story building.
| Jan 15, 2014
Report: 32 U.S. buildings have been verified as net-zero energy performers
The New Buildings Institute's 2014 Getting to Zero Status report includes an interactive map detailing the net-zero energy buildings that have been verified by NBI.
| Jan 13, 2014
Custom exterior fabricator A. Zahner unveils free façade design software for architects
The web-based tool uses the company's factory floor like "a massive rapid prototype machine,” allowing designers to manipulate designs on the fly based on cost and other factors, according to CEO/President Bill Zahner.
| Jan 13, 2014
AEC professionals weigh in on school security
An exclusive survey reveals that Building Teams are doing their part to make the nation’s schools safer in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook tragedy.
| Jan 11, 2014
Getting to net-zero energy with brick masonry construction [AIA course]
When targeting net-zero energy performance, AEC professionals are advised to tackle energy demand first. This AIA course covers brick masonry's role in reducing energy consumption in buildings.
| Jan 10, 2014
What the states should do to prevent more school shootings
To tell the truth, I didn’t want to write about the terrible events of December 14, 2012, when 20 children and six adults were gunned down at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. I figured other media would provide ample coverage, and anything we did would look cheap or inappropriate. But two things turned me around.
| Jan 10, 2014
Special Report: K-12 school security in the wake of Sandy Hook
BD+C's exclusive five-part report on K-12 school security offers proven design advice, technology recommendations, and thoughtful commentary on how Building Teams can help school districts prevent, or at least mitigate, a Sandy Hook on their turf.
| Jan 9, 2014
How security in schools applies to other building types
Many of the principles and concepts described in our Special Report on K-12 security also apply to other building types and markets.
| Jan 9, 2014
16 recommendations on security technology to take to your K-12 clients
From facial recognition cameras to IP-based door hardware, here are key technology-related considerations you should discuss with your school district clients.
