As the new school year begins, the Western Placer USD has dedicated a new two-story, 14,000 SF classroom building on the campus of the Phoenix High School in Lincoln, California. The $13.5 million, 12-classroom building houses two district high school programs, Phoenix—an alternative education high school—and the ATLAS Learning Academy—an independent study high school. The schools are home to approximately 150 non-traditional students who follow educational paths that are outside of the traditional high school environment.

Originally a modular solution, the design team developed a site-built option for the building that has created architectural identity for the campus. The new, permanent solution replaces several portable classrooms and transforms the small campus, which is adjacent to Lincoln High School. The extended roof and deeper-than-typical balcony create nearly 25,000 SF of total program area protected from the weather—which is an impressive area relative to cost, without the use of shade structures! This beautiful new building serves as a substantial anchor for the campus and has given students a real sense of school pride.

In attendance at the ribbon-cutting ceremony were district officials and school staff, including Superintendent Kerry Callahan, Director of Facilities Mike Adell, project manager Raymond Gonzales, and School Principal Chuck Whitecotton. Attending from HMC Architects were PreK-12 Practice Leader, Brian Meyers, Suzanne Sasaki-Hartstein, Riley Peck, Fernanda Cardenas Alfaro, Evelyn Mariscal, and Kris Livingston. Also proudly attending was Tim DeWitt, now retired from his role as HMC Principal Architect, who was one of the driving forces behind the design and success of this project. They were joined by Roebbelen Contracting VP Adam Villacara.

This project is a powerful symbol of commitment to students in alternative education programs who often must overcome unique challenges in moving toward lifelong success.

Most importantly, the dedication was attended by students of the Phoenix and ATLAS programs who are excited to be learning in such a beautiful new facility this year! Congratulations to Western Placer Unified School District and the entire Phoenix High School community on this momentous occasion. This project is a powerful symbol of commitment to students in alternative education programs who often must overcome unique challenges in moving toward lifelong success.