Middle schools bridge the gap between elementary and high school, providing a transitional period for students to further develop academically, socially, and emotionally. With a focus on exploration and self-discovery, middle schools offer a variety of academic subjects, extracurricular activities, and support services to meet the unique needs of pre-adolescents. By nurturing independence, resilience, and a sense of responsibility, middle schools empower students to navigate the challenges of adolescence and prepare for the academic rigor of high school.
5.
1. EDISON MIDDLE SCHOOL CHAMPAIGN, IL
2. HERBERT AKINS MIDDLE SCHOOL FUQUAY-VARINA, NC
3. PINE HOLLOW MIDDLE SCHOOL RALEIGH, NC
4. TUTTLE MIDDLE SCHOOL CRAWFORDSVILLE, IN
DURHAM SCHOOL
JEFFERSONVILLE,
GCCS Middle School Study
CONTACT
MARK LAUGHNER
812 256 2398
These strategic efficiencies didn’t just save money, they improved the design and overall building management. The result is a building with stronger sightlines and easier supervision, more intuitive circulation between core classrooms and specials, and a clearer sense of grade-level identity and community. This is a project that proves tight budgets don’t have to limit bold ideas, just focus them. LOCATION
Facing rapid enrollment growth and a defined $88 million budget (inclusive of all site work), the district turned to RATIO to envision a new 1,000-student middle school that balances efficiency with inspiration. The charge to our design team was clear: create a future-ready learning environment that elevates the student experience without overextending resources. Our approach centered on thoughtful scale, smart systems, and high-impact design moves, prioritizing flexibility, daylight, and shared learning zones that maximize every square foot. Some of our most effective costcutting decisions came from careful spatial planning: stacking program areas to reduce the overall footprint and circulation, minimizing the building envelope, and eliminating unnecessary stairwells.
SECOND LEVEL / 46,200 SF
LEVEL 1: 96988 SF
LEVEL 2: 46200 SF
TOTAL: 143,188 SF
SECOND LEVEL FLOOR PLAN
LOCATION CHAMPAIGN, IL
CLIENT CHAMPAIGN UNIT 4 DISTRICT
SIZE
18,000 SF NEW CONSTRUCTION
104,000 SF RENOVATION
COST
$23 M
COMPLETE 2021
CONTACT
ELIZABETH STEGMAIER
217 351 3800
Edison Middle School Renovation and Addition
Seeking to preserve, renovate and update the 105-year old structure, the Champaign Unit 4 School District engaged RATIO to improve Edison Middle School under a short timeline and while students occupy the space. The building was in great need of renovation to meet current program needs.
RATIO completed a 104,000 SF renovation plus an 18,000 SF addition, infusing 21st-century technology into the dated classrooms and providing for flexible learning environments. The new design encourages healthy learning environments for students through lighting and thermal comfort in addition to providing a safer campus with the separation of pedestrian and vehicular zones / traffic.
LOCATION
FUQUAY-VARINA, NC
CLIENT WAKE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM
SIZE
162,096 SF
COST
$48.6 M
COMPLETE 2022
CONTACT
ELIZABETH SHARPE 919 625 3576
Herbert Akins Road Middle School
Engaged by the owner, RATIO was asked to adapt and update a middle school prototype to a new and constrained site for the Herbert Akins Road Middle School in North Carolina. The new middle school will include 60 teaching spaces and will meet program standards for a 981-student middle school with a 1,100-student core. This was an opportunity to create the best possible balance of value and function for the Wake County Public School System and the community of Fuquay-Varina.
At the request of the owner, RATIO worked on creating additional common spaces, a more open feeling library and media center, and a modernized exterior aesthetic. Masonry mixed with metal panels were utilized to improve the facades. The central commons spaces break up the façade with expansive glass allowing light into the areas. Horizontal and vertical shading devices reduce glare and provide a modern aesthetic while allowing diffused light to penetrate the spaces.
