Students, staff and community members gathered last Thursday to celebrate the grand opening of their newest school in Weld School District Re-6.

The new 103,267-square-foot Prairie Heights Middle School replaces the former, ailing John Evans Middle School and houses 650 students in grades six through eight. The design is based upon a series of atrium spaces providing amenities in clusters to the students of each age group. The “pods” divide the school into smaller more intimate houses.

The arrangement of the classroom wing allows for natural light from both north and south windows, as well as from skylights serving the central atrium hallway spaces, providing light to both the front and back of classrooms. Located on the second floor, the library benefits from natural light, views west to the Rocky Mountains, and access to a rooftop garden above the main entry.

The new $22 million school has an international focus, which is highlighted in the character and detailing of the building. An emphasis is placed on technology and sustainability within the design, and serves as a feature of the project for both students and the public. 

This project was a joint venture with Hord Coplan Macht.