K-12 EDUCATION DESIGN
MCMILLAN PAZDAN SMITH With offices throughout the Carolinas, Georgia, and Alabama, McMillan Pazdan Smith (MPS) is always nearby, dedicated to the communities and clients we serve. Our team of architects, planners, and interior designers is committed to creating functional, enduring, costeffective, and iconic built environments. With expertise across markets including education, healthcare, commercial, civic, and multi-family living, clients and communities benefit from diverse, collaborative research and thought leadership. With each project, we strive to enhance quality of life and empower each client to achieve their goals, creating meaningful and lasting impact for the good of all.
Fairforest Middle School, Spartanburg County School District 6
K-12 EDUCATION DESIGN Learning environments are successful when they empower student achievement, encourage community involvement, and accommodate diverse learning styles in
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DEDICATED K-12 DESIGN PRACTICE
ALEP-CERTIFIED PLANNERS (ACCREDITED LEARNING ENVIRONMENT PLANNER)
healthy and safe surroundings. As an industry leader in K-12 architecture, advisory services, planning, and interior design, McMillan Pazdan Smith is passionate about serving school leaders, teachers, staff, and students by exploring the best solutions for each school community. Our expertise includes facility assessments to address growth and aging infrastructure, safety improvements, new construction, and complex renovations and additions. By re-imagining what is possible, our team of educational planners, designers, and data analysts offers creative
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DESIGN AWARDS + A4LE AWARDS FOR 21ST-CENTURY LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS
SCHOOL DISTRICT CLIENTS
OF OUR PORTFOLIO IS EDUCATION DESIGN
solutions focused on positive student outcomes. We are ranked #21 in the Top 35 BD+C McMillan Pazdan Smith is a community-based and
Giants 400 Report, 2025. The annual
education-focused practice dedicated to creating
report ranks the largest architecture,
meaningful and lasting impact for the good of all.
engineering, and construction firms in the U.S. — and we are #27 for K-12 School Architecture Leaders.
Spring Valley High School Field House
Boiling Springs High School
Pelion Middle School
Reedy Laurel Elementary School
Lucy G. Beckham High School Courtyard
Midland Valley High School Addition
ELEMENTARY
SCHOOLS
Drayton Mills Elementary School, Spartanburg School District 7
Drayton Mills Elementary School | Spartanburg, SC Learning By Design, Outstanding Project Award, 2019 Association for Learning Environments (A4LE), Excellence in Design Merit Award, 2019
CLIENT
PROJECT SIZE
PROJECT T YPE
SUSTAINABILIT Y
Spartanburg County School District 7
125,000 SF
New Facility
1 Green Globes® Certified
Belvedere Elementary School Addition | Belvedere, SC
CLIENT
PROJECT SIZE
PROJECT T YPE
Aiken County School District
40,200 SF
Addition / Renovation
Foxbank Elementary School | Moncks Corner, SC
CLIENT
PROJECT SIZE
PROJECT T YPE
Berkeley County School District
108,543 SF
New Facility
Middle Tyger Education Center | Lyman, SC
Scan/click the QR code to read insights on this evolving project in EDmarket Essentials Magazine article by MPS’ Josh Czerniak, AIA, LEED AP and Michelle Smyth, AIA, ALEP, LEED AP, NCARB.
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CLIENTS
PROJECT SIZE
PROJECT T YPE
Confidential Corporate Client / Middle Tyger Community Center / Spartanburg School District 5
42,000 SF
New Facility
Mountain View Elementary School | Morganton, NC
CLIENT
PROJECT SIZE
PROJECT T YPE
Burke County Public Schools
102,800 SF
New Facility
Wheeless Road Elementary School | Augusta, GA
CLIENT
PROJECT SIZE
PROJECT T YPE
Richmond County School System
100,423 SF
New Facility
Kingstown + River Trail Elementary Schools | Fort Mill, SC
CLIENT
PROJECT SIZE
PROJECT T YPE
Fort Mill School District
132,165 SF (each) / 2-story
Prototype Design + 2 New Schools
River Trail Elementary
Kings Town Elementary
Kings Town Elementary
Kings Town Elementary
Kings Town Elementary
River Trail Elementary
River Trail Elementary
Centerville + South Lake Elementary Schools | Lexington, SC
South Lake Elementary
CLIENT
PROJECT SIZE
PROJECT T YPE
SUSTAINABILIT Y
Lexington County School District 1
123,406 SF each
Prototype Design + 2 New Facilities
Two Green Globes Certification (CES)
South Lake Elementary
Centerville Elementary
Centerville Elementary
Carolina Park Elementary School | Mt. Pleasant, SC
CLIENT
PROJECT SIZE
PROJECT T YPE
Charleston County School District
127,00 SF / 2-story
New Facility
Black Creek Elementary School | Darlington, SC
CLIENT
PROJECT SIZE
PROJECT T YPE
Darlington County School District
110,000 SF
New Facility
Shoally Creek Elementary School | Boiling Springs, SC
CLIENT
PROJECT SIZE
PROJECT T YPE
Spartanburg School District 2
144,400 SF
New Facility
Reedy Laurel Elementary School | Greenville, SC
CLIENT
PROJECT SIZE
PROJECT T YPE
School District of Greenville County
118,455 SF / 2-story
New Facility
Cayce + Riverbank Elementary Schools | W. Columbia, SC
Cayce Elementary
CLIENT
PROJECT SIZE
PROJECT T YPE
Lexington School District 2
150-165,000 (each) / 2-story
Prototype Design + 2 New Schools
Riverbank Elementary
Riverbank Elementary
Riverbank Elementary
Cayce Elementary
Cayce Elementary
Mary A. Buckner Elementary School | Columbus, GA
CLIENT
PROJECT SIZE
PROJECT T YPE
Muscogee County School District
106,833 SF
New Facility
Montview Elementary + Magnet School | Huntsville, AL
CLIENT
PROJECT SIZE
PROJECT T YPE
Huntsville City Schools
110,000 Total SF
New Two Facility Campus
MIDDLE
SCHOOLS
McCracken Middle School, Spartanburg School District 7
Middle School Prototype: Beechwood, Pelion, Lakeside Middle Schools | Lexington, SC l akeside middle school
Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) SC Chapter, Honor Award, 2024 beechwood middle school
Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) SC Chapter, Merit Award, 2021 American School and University, Outstanding Design
Lakeside Middle School
CLIENT
PROJECT SIZE
PROJECT T YPE
SUSTAINABILIT Y
Lexington County School District 1
196,000 - 210,580 SF
Prototype Design + 3 New Facilities
Two Green Globes Certification
Lakeside Middle School
Lakeside Middle School
Pelion Middle School
Beechwood Middle School
Pelion Middle School
Seneca Middle School | Seneca, SC
CLIENT
PROJECT SIZE
PROJECT T YPE
School District of Oconee County
169,739 SF
New Facility
Fairforest Middle School | Fairforest, SC
Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) SC Chapter, Citation for Community Engagement, 2021
CLIENT
PROJECT SIZE
PROJECT T YPE
Spartanburg County School District 6
225,000 SF / 2 levels
New Facility
Dr. Phinnize J. Fisher Middle School | Greenville, SC
Association for Learning Environments (A4LE), James D. MacConnell Award, 2015 Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) SC Chapter, Excellence in Design Merit Award, 2015 AIA Spartanburg, Design Excellence Award, 2015 Learning By Design, Citation of Excellence Award, 2016
CLIENT
PROJECT SIZE
PROJECT T YPE
SUSTAINABILIT Y
Greenville County Schools
179,000 SF / 3 levels
New Facility
Three Green Globes® Certified
Flint Hill Middle School | Fort Mill, SC
CLIENT
PROJECT SIZE
PROJECT T YPE
Fort Mill School District
195,000 SF / 2-3 levels
New Facility
Rudolph Gordon K-8 School | Moore, SC
CLIENT
PROJECT SIZE
PROJECT T YPE
Greenville County Schools
15,000 SF / 2 levels
Addition / Renovation
Phenix City Intermediate School STEM Center | Phenix City, AL
CLIENT
PROJECT SIZE
PROJECT T YPE
Phenix City Board of Education
9,500 SF
New Facility on Campus
Chapman Middle + Magnet School | Huntsville, AL
CLIENT
PROJECT SIZE
PROJECT T YPE
Huntsville City Schools
162,000 Total SF
New Two Facility Campus
Magnet School Arena
Magnet School Lobby
Chapman Middle Lobby
HIGH SCHOOLS
Lucy G. Beckham High School, Charleston County School District
Lucy Garret Beckham High School | Mt. Pleasant, SC
CLIENT
PROJECT SIZE
PROJECT T YPE
Charleston County School District
245,000 SF / 3 levels
New Facility
Community High School Addition | Swannanoa, NC
CLIENT
PROJECT SIZE
PROJECT T YPE
Buncombe County Schools
40,000 SF / 2 levels
Addition / Renovation
North Augusta High School | North Augusta, SC Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) SC Chapter, Citation for Complex Phasing Solution, 2024
CLIENT
PROJECT SIZE
PROJECT T YPE
Aiken County Public School District
350,000 SF / 2 levels
Phased Replacement School
Alabama Cyber School of Technology & Engineering | Huntsville, AL
CLIENT
PROJECT SIZE
PROJECT T YPE
Alabama Cyber School of Technology & Engineering
118,400 SF / 4 levels
New Facility
Lake Wylie High School | Clover, SC
CLIENT
PROJECT SIZE
PROJECT T YPE
Clover School District
407,000 SF / 3 levels
New Facility
Spartanburg High School | Spartanburg, SC
CLIENT
PROJECT SIZE
PROJECT T YPE
SUSTAINABILIT Y
Spartanburg County School District 7
420,000 SF / 2 levels
New Facility
Two Green Globes® Certified
Philip Simmons High School | Charleston, SC Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) SC Chapter, Merit Award, 2018 Steel Joist Institute, Unique Design Award, 2017
CLIENT
PROJECT SIZE
PROJECT T YPE
Berkeley County School District
215,000 SF / 2 levels
New Facility
Whale Branch Early College High School | Seabrook, SC
CLIENT
PROJECT SIZE
PROJECT T YPE
Beaufort County School District
54,000 SF / 1,500-seat Gym / 500-seat Theatre
Addition / Renovation
Harding High School, Career + Technical Education Classroom Wing | Charlotte, NC
CLIENT
PROJECT SIZE
PROJECT T YPE
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
19,150 SF
Addition / Renovation
New Stadium Complexes: Richland Northeast + Ridge View High Schools | Columbia, SC
CLIENT
PROJECT SIZE
PROJECT T YPE
Richland School District 2
Two 4,000-Seat Stadiums
New Replacement Facilities
Northeast High School (left side / below)
Ridge View High School (right side / below)
River Bluff High School | Lexington, SC
CLIENT
PROJECT SIZE
PROJECT T YPE
SUSTAINABILIT Y
Lexington County School District 1
540,000 SF / 2-story
New School
LEED Silver
Wagener-Salley High School | Wagener, SC
CLIENT
PROJECT SIZE
PROJECT T YPE
Aiken County Public School District
152,000 SF / 2 levels
New Facility
Battery Creek High School Modernization | Beaufort, SC
CLIENT
PROJECT SIZE
PROJECT T YPE
Beaufort County School District
216,000 SF / 2-story
Addition / Renovation
Boiling Springs High School | Boiling Springs, SC
CLIENT
PROJECT SIZE
PROJECT T YPE
Spartanburg School District 2
336,544 SF New / 117,580 SF Renovation
New Facility
Catawba Ridge High School | Fort Mill, SC Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) SC Chapter, Citation for New Construction, 2023 American School + University Outstanding Design - High School
CLIENT
PROJECT SIZE
PROJECT T YPE
Fort Mill School District
425,000 SF / 3-story
New Facility
Central High School Career and Technical Education Annex Additions | Phenix City, AL
CLIENT
PROJECT SIZE
PROJECT T YPE
Phenix City Board of Education
36,951 SF
Classroom + Athletic Addition
Brookland-Cayce High School Arena | Cayce, SC
CLIENT
PROJECT SIZE
PROJECT T YPE
Lexington School District 2
5,000 Seat Stadium / 41,750 SF Arena Addition
Addition
Emerald High School Press Box | Greenwood, SC
CLIENT
PROJECT SIZE
PROJECT T YPE
Greenwood School District 50
4,650 SF / 2-story
New Facility
Chapin High School Stadium | Chapin, SC
CLIENT
PROJECT SIZE
PROJECT T YPE
Lexington-Richland School District 5
7,400 SF / 3-story
New Facility
DISTRICT-WIDE
EDUCATION + RESOURCES
Anderson Institute of Technology
Richland / Performing Arts Center | Columbia, SC
CLIENT
PROJECT SIZE
PROJECT T YPE
Richland School District 2
54,000 SF / 1,175-seat Auditorium
New Facility on the Innovation Campus
Performing Arts + District Education Center | West Columbia, SC
CLIENT
PROJECT SIZE
PROJECT T YPE
Lexington School District 2
103,400 SF
New Facility
Fine + Performing Arts Academy | Columbus, GA
CLIENT
PROJECT SIZE
PROJECT T YPE
Muscogee County School District
118,500 SF
New Facility
Anderson Institute of Technology | Anderson, SC
Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) SC Chapter, Honor Award for New Construction, 2021
CLIENT
PROJECT SIZE
PROJECT T YPE
Anderson School Districts 3,4,5
118,850 SF / 320-seat Multipurpose Room
New Facility
Hamilton Career and Technology Center | Westminster, SC
CLIENT
PROJECT SIZE
PROJECT T YPE
Oconee County School District
144,300 SF
New Facility
Institute of Innovation | Gaffney, SC
CLIENT
PROJECT SIZE
PROJECT T YPE
Cherokee County School District
84,000 SF
Addition / Renovation
Lexington Two Innovation Center | Cayce, SC
CLIENT
PROJECT SIZE
PROJECT T YPE
Lexington School District 2
179,000 SF / 3-story
New Facility
Pickens County Career & Technology Center | Pickens, SC
CLIENT
PROJECT SIZE
PROJECT T YPE
School District of Pickens County
153,000 SF
New Facility
Anderson School District 5 District Office | Anderson, SC
CLIENT
PROJECT SIZE
PROJECT T YPE
Anderson School District 5
7,356 SF
Renovation/Upfit
LISTEN TO OUR PODCAST »
TUNE INTO OUR PODCAST
If you are a school policymaker, teacher, or parent who cares about making schools better places for every student, listen to our podcast, ideaXchange: The Future of K-12 Education. In this ongoing series, your host Ben Thompson, K-12 Practice Area Leader at McMillan Pazdan Smith, talks with experienced and insightful leaders in education. Join us for this exchange of ideas as we discuss some of the biggest challenges facing students and schools today. Education matters, and it’s an investment that we all share. Subscribe on our website or listen from your favorite podcast app. www.mcmillanpazdansmith.com/podcasts/k-12
EPISODE 15
Improving Mental Health Across School Communities
WITH SPECIAL GUEST
READ OUR K-12 IDEAS For valuable insights, trends, and advice tailored to the needs of K-12 school leaders who aspire to empower the next generation, check out: www.mcmillanpazdansmith.com/ideas.
“One out of three [people] are suffering from anxiety and depression. We need human connection.”
SONNY THADANI CEO / ROBIN
www.mcmillanpazdansmith.com/podcasts/k-12
LEADERSHIP
K-12 PRACTICE LEADER
B
en leads the firm’s dedicated K-12 Practice Area across all eight Studios for clients across the Carolinas and Georgia. He is an experienced architect and project manager, having served on a variety of projects, from district-wide capital improvement programs to large educational facilities, complex additions, and renovations. Ben understands that education empowers students to become future leaders, creators, and collaborators. His work focuses on providing unique solutions to support student outcomes through programming, campus master planning, conceptual design development, and the full project management process.
BEN THOMPSON, aia, alep Principal / K-12 Practice Leader Accredited Learning Environments Planner
CONTAC T
bthompson@mcmillanpazdansmith.com O: (980) 267-3631 M: (704) 330-0029
Ben also hosts our podcast, IdeaXchange: the Future of K-12 Education, a series that brings together experienced and insightful leaders in education to exchange ideas and discuss the biggest issues facing students and schools today. Listen online or subscribe: www. mcmillanpazdansmith.com/podcasts/k-12.
EDUCATION Master of Architecture, Clemson University, 2003 Bachelor of Science in Design, Clemson University, 2000 The Advanced Academy for Designing Learning Spaces, San Diego State University, 2017 SELECT PROJECT EXPERIENCE Clover School District Campus Masterplanning, Funding Consultation Design of New Lake Wylie High School + Liberty Hill Elementary School Anderson School District 5 District-wide Facility Assessment + Capital Improvements Planning Spartanburg School District 4 District-Wide Facilities Needs Assessment, Demographic + Enrollment Forecasting, Masterplanning, Capital Improvements Planning Design of New Woodruff High School Aiken County Public Schools Belvedere Elementary School Master Planning / Addition / Renovation Richland School District 2 New District-wide Performing Arts Center
ideas taking shape
www.mcmillanpazdansmith.com