Located in the Gage Park neighborhood on the west-side of Chicago, the Irene C. Hernandez Middle School for the Advancement of the Sciences includes specialized laboratory classrooms, 40 traditional classrooms, as well as art and music classrooms. Additionally the school offers a multi-purpose hall, gymnasium, cafeteria with full-service kitchen and fully accessible 3,400 SF library.

As a part of Public Building Commission's 2004 commitment to sustainable building, the school's innovative design utilized efficient systems and controls to earn the building's 30% reduction in energy usage. Features such as a 24' window curtain wall in the library, to provide brilliant natural light minimizing artificial lighting needs, and an expansive green roof covering over 50% of the roof area contribute to the project achieving Chicago Public School's first LEED Gold Certification.