John Paul Stevens High School

San Antonio, Texas

Firm

PBK

Client

Northside Independent School District

Area

413,665 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$49,508,141

Completion Date

05/2005

John Paul Stevens High School supports 2,800 students in grades 9 to 12 with core facilities for 3,000. Every aspect of the design was intended to connect the school to the existing site and accentuate the learning experience. The use of cost-effective materials and low-maintenance components adds to the durability, longevity and natural beauty of the school.
The 413,665-square-foot building sits on a sloping 75-acre site and contains a steep 75-foot drop from front to back. The school has a split-level plan to make efficient use of existing topography.
The school includes two “anchor” areas at each end of an 800-foot-long mall that extends the length of the building and serves as the main circulation corridor. The two anchor departments to this mall are the fine-arts and athletic areas. Each has its own parking area and entry tower.
The commons is near the center of the facility. Departments are clustered in groups and determined by curriculum similarities. This promotes interaction among teachers and students. At the center of the facility are the administration area, commons and library.