Berliner designed two new charter schools for construction on a dense, urban lot in East Los Angeles.  Project and construction phasing was critical in managing the successful completion of both the middle and high school.  DSA-approved PCSD/Media Academy #8 Middle School serves 450 students and opened in September 2013. PCSD/Alliance Media Arts Entertainment High School will serve 600 students and will open in September 2014. 

Berliner's master planning of the site and close work with the County of Los Angeles eliminated the need for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP), cutting months off the entitlements schedule. 

The efficient design of the schools is sensitive to the scale and context of the neighborhood, and maximizes open space with a sheltering central courtyard for student gathering. This school is designed to comply with CHPS criteria and application was made for a High Performance Incentive Grant.