Bernard Middle School

St. Louis, Missouri

Firm

Dickinson Hussman Architects

Client

Mehlville School District

Area

137,600 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$14,658,454

Completion Date

08/2003

Bernard Middle School was the first of three new educational facilities to be constructed from funds generated from a district tax levy in 2000. The facility is configured for grades 6, 7 and 8, and is designed to accommodate up to 800 students.
Established in grade-level houses, students enjoy academic wings that support both independent learning and team instruction. Each house is designed for two teams of 134 students that share core classroom functions. The typical academic wing is designed with eight classrooms designated for math, social studies, reading and language arts. In addition to the classrooms are two 1,800-square-foot science labs that are equipped with multiple wet-lab workstations and dedicated lecture space. Encore instruction such as foreign language, FACS, art, health and industrial technology are in common building areas.
Each academic wing is near the media center, the main feature of the building. Designed as the building’s central element, the media center is radial in form, providing efficient circulation and excellent visual control. Other building amenities include a 1,400-square-foot vocal music classroom, a 2,200-square-foot band classroom, and a cafeteria/student commons that seats 265 students and offers a full-service lunch and breakfast menu.