Florence Griffith Joyner Elementary School

San Diego, California

Firm

JCJ Architecture

Client

San Diego Unified School District

Area

54,690 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$19,000,000

Completion Date

10/2007

Because of a lack of land in developed communities, many school districts are turning to eminent domain to obtain new school sites. One such site in San Diego will soon be home to more than 700 elementary-age children.
Florence Griffith Joyner Elementary School is City Heights’ new prize project, a joint-use school that took the threat and negative view of eminent domain and created a new town core that the community truly could rally around. The K-5 school encompasses more than 6.5 acres. The school is constructed with steel frames, stucco accent patterns and colorful tile to capture the spirit of Florence Griffith Joyner. Throughout construction, the architect incorporated the latest in technology and audiovisual teaching tools.
The energy-efficient building contains 32 high-tech classrooms, a captivating library, state-of-the-art multipurpose room, athletic field with kindergarten tricycle track, and a joint-use play field and library/media center to benefit the entire community.