New Tech High@Coppell

1. 2009 Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture New Tech High@Coppell Coppell, Texas New Construction Project of Distinction-New Construction SHW Group

2. New Tech High @ Coppell

3. Hallway Community Environment: To build on the educational initiatives of collaboration and transparency in the learning process, certain rooms open out to hallways and in some cases glass was inserted into existing walls so that visitors, learners and facilitators can see the processes at work. A visitor may feel more like they are in an art gallery or a high-end book store/café than a typical classroom building. Walls and floors are neutral or white with dark, open ceilings that reveal the simple existing elementary school roof structure, a cost saving measure that lends to the understated, casual feel, which is perfect for encouraging flexible, real-time collaboration.

4. Classroom Learning Environment: The student’s photographic and artistic work is displayed along simple white walls with lighting that focuses attention on self-portrait mosaics made from small still photos. Technology becomes so highly integrated that it almost disappears until a group of students re-configures the lay out of the moveable furniture and plugs in their laptops as they work together on a new project. Red color accents on the walls highlight special spaces such as restrooms, media centers and cafeterias or areas of attention such as the monitors throughout the school that constantly highlight digital media designed by students. This same red accent is picked up in the lounge furniture and round worktables throughout the collaborative areas.

5. Collaborative Learning Learning Environment cont’d: As one walks through the school on a given day you might see students preparing for a health and fitness fair or interviewing fourth graders so that they can customize the math-based video games they are designing for them. This range of activities and energy is made possible by the exhaustive planning process that went into selecting and implementing the New Tech model and the crafting of the design that supports and amplifies it. This kind of open and extensive planning process including, students, faculty, administration, parents and architects, is what is needed to shift and carry out the vision of 21st century learning today.

6. Flexible , Dynamic Spaces Physical Environment Because the New Tech model of learning is so different than a typical model of high school instruction, Coppell ISD needed a new type of space as well. They needed a space that was highly flexible, very open and dynamic to encourage the type of real-time collaboration and teaming that occurs in the project-based model. The committee had recommended two options for the choice high school. Due to budget limitations, both would entail renovating an existing building. One option was to create the school in a leased warehouse space, the other was to close and renovate an existing elementary school.

7. Transparent and Open Physical Environment – Cont’d By strategically removing walls in some locations and opening up others with glass, the spaces transformed from stand-and-deliver classrooms, to energized multi-use spaces for collaboration and teaming that allowed the learners to engage in a variety of activities using wireless internet and moveable furniture.

8. Technology Integrated Education Planning Process: Our new digital world is having a marked impact on the way students learn. The challenge for school districts becomes how to provide a customized environment that embraces that world and provides opportunities for students to integrate technology with education, to collaborate with family, business and the community and to translate what they learn to the world beyond graduation. In 2006, Coppell ISD was faced with such a challenge. The community was growing and the existing high school had increased to over 3000 students. The need for change was certain, but the community had always seen itself as a one high school town. A committee was formed to make recommendations that were both practical and progressive. They offered two solutions to reduce overcrowding at Coppell High School: build a ninth grade center or create an academy/choice high school. Another committee was created to research options and make a recommendation. After six months of research, and with input from various stakeholders, the board approved the creation of an academy/choice high school to open fall of 2008.

9. Project-based Learning Planning Process: Cont’d The committee took several key steps:  Held community forum to discuss what an ideal academy might be. Met with student, parent and staff focus groups to refine that vision. Superintendent s led dialog about the future of education and what learning should look like. Crystallize the vision for the ideal academy. Researched facility options, in concert with architects, and presented the board with two alternatives. Conducted an open, voluntary online survey to determine academic interest areas of students and parents in CISD, resulting in over 3000 responses.  With investigations in hand, the board approved final recommendations and began the search for the most appropriate model to fit the vision. In the Fall of 2007, the committee created a project plan and then researched and visited several 21st century school models around the U.S. It was decided that the New Technology High School Model of project based learning most closely fit the vision and expectations set forth in the extensive planning process.

10. Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2008 Project Data

11. Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2008 Project Details

12. Relaxed learning atmosphere empowers students to be self-directedWindow walls blur division of spaces

13. A variety of seating configurations; College/professional food court atmosphere

14. Self-directed classroom setting; Exposed network becomes a learning tool

15. 2009 Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture New Tech High@Coppell Coppell ISD Submitted by SHW Group