Polaris K-12 School

Narratives

Project Narrative

Community Environment: With a strong vision and a shoestring budget the School converted an abandoned two-screen movie theater to house an optional K-12 program in 1994. Their high-energy educational approach is designed for students, parents and teachers who desire an emphasis on self-directed learning and active education. Its dramatic success prompted support for this major addition and remodel project starting with Educational Specification development in 2000. The unique and challenging site is bounded by a major freeway, an arterial collector and industrial properties.

Learning Environment: The focus of this unique K-12 program is threefold:

-Reinforce the educational philosophy of cross-grade learning, student-to-student mentorship, project based learning and community engagement within a socially related learning context.

-Create a flexible, dynamic and encouraging learning environment that responds to rapid changes in curriculum.

-Honor the school culture by fostering an environment that is owned and appropriated by students.

Physical Environment:
-Transformation–the renovation/addition completely transforms the school building and grounds replacing the image of the tired, old building with a dynamic learning village.

-Integration–by preserving most of the existing theater structure the renovation seamlessly combines the old with a major addition of classrooms, gym, library and entry lobby.

-Connected Environment–openness between levels supports the school philosophy of a unified family of learners where age groups mix freely and learn from each other.

-First Impressions–reoriented towards the Habitat (school garden and wetlands reclamation) the new entry is the focal point for visitors entering the site. Inside the double-height lobby space is a Ceremonial Hearth where the learning community celebrates.

-Collaborative Groupings–primary and intermediate classrooms are organized in threes creating shared alcoves for small group breakout and a place for each small learning community to express itself. Throughout the school nooks and alcoves create opportunities for socializing and informal learning that is central to this dynamic program.

-Northern Light–southeast-facing classrooms provide solar exposure, even in the short days of winter, and spectacular views of the Mountains. Clerestory lighting enlivens the lobby, circulation and library spaces.

-Student Ownership–interior and exterior panels are designed for student murals that reveal the thoughts and attitudes of the student body. The panels allow students to literally paint their school. Designed to be easily replaceable, the school can retain the interior panels year to year or let students take them when they go. In that way, this important practice can be sustained over the life of the school. Honoring this unique medium of expression ultimately communicates a compelling catalogue of place and memory over time.

Planning Process: The collaborative design committee included students, teachers, administrators, parents and community members. The unique school culture was explored in depth uncovering the deep sense of family that the program fosters and the celebration of student expression through arts and academics. Through a process of diagramming, discussing and refining the project gradually shaped itself around the school ideals.

Educator Narrative

Thirteen years ago The School was born out of a need to provide an alternative to the traditional educational format, using an open optional method of instruction. Though housed in an old theatre in a former wetlands area, site and size constrictions were not viewed as insurmountable, rather the community focus was directed towards the educational program that was taking place within the old theatre’s walls. Over the years the multi-age open optional program flourished, both within and out into the habitat, the surrounding community and the nation as a whole.

Today housed in a beautifully designed thirteen grade level building, The School remains a small, friendly school that encourages both a high level of academic participation, as well as, a program dedicated to the concepts of self directed learning and community involvement.

The aesthetic qualities of the school and site encourage student, staff and community pride. Outdoor instructional areas complement both our K-12 physical education courses, as well as, our secondary science labs.

The arrangement of instructional space allows an integration of all multi-age classrooms, both elementary and secondary. Administrative and staff workspaces allow maximum access for all community members.

The School’s program allows people to grow across all thirteen grade levels. Based on that philosophic premise, student ideas, projects, displays and real life choices have access within all aspects of the physical environment. As self-directed learners a high degree of individual responsibility and commitment is evident throughout a student’s day within The School, and reflected within the halls of our new building.