C.W. Cline Elementary School

Friendswood, Texas

Firm

PBK

Client

Friendswood Independent School District

Area

125,135 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$36,281,523

Completion Date

08/2023

Wade Griffith

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The design for Cline Elementary School, a two-story preK-5 campus, emerged from a collaborative process involving administration, staff, parents, community, and students. The school is organized around a central learning commons that serves as an educational hub, offering spaces for large group instruction and personalized learning. Each grade level has its own pod, connected to the commons, with unique collaboration areas to foster teamwork. Shared spaces include innovation hubs, a makerspace, art and music rooms, a cafeteria, and a gymnasium. The cafeteria and gym can be independently accessed for community events, and the adjacent courtyard and amphitheater support indoor and outdoor functions. The design emphasizes three key areas: cultivating community through spaces that support gathering and engagement; promoting “learning anywhere” by creating versatile, naturally lighted environments; and encouraging choice, with flexible learning spaces and outdoor areas that cater to individual student needs. Overall, the school fosters a supportive and dynamic learning experience for all students.