One of the nation’s largest school districts, Prince George’s County Public School System (PGCPS), recently opened its sixth new school as part of its “Blueprint Schools” program. The Colin L. Powell K-8 Academy opened to students on November 27, 2023, and held its ribbon cutting on February 21, 2024. The additional five schools—Sonia Sotomayor Middle School at Adelphi, Drew-Freeman Middle School, Hyattsville Middle School, Kenmoor Middle School, and Walker Mill Middle School—opened in September 2023.

The program was delivered as a 30-year public-private partnership by the Prince George’s County Education & Community Partners consortium comprised of:

• Developer: Fengate Asset Management and Gilbane Development Company
• Design-Builder: Gilbane Building Company
• Architect: Stantec
• Facility Services Provider: Honeywell

Delivering a first-of-its-kind project

Stantec, a global leader in integrated design, brought the pioneering Blueprint Schools program to life by implementing a design prototype that addresses aging and overcrowded facilities for each of the schools, ultimately getting more than 8,000 students into new classrooms a mere 2.5 years after reaching financial close.

This innovative bundled delivery model, the first of its kind in the US, brought design equity to PGCPS and advanced local economic inclusion goals through diverse and local business utilization. Nearly 30 percent of total eligible costs were awarded to minority-owned businesses and community-based small businesses, while additional savings are expected to be realized by PGCPS in deferred maintenance and construction costs.

As part of their role on the consortium, Honeywell will assume physical maintenance of the six schools for 30 years, keeping the facilities in prime condition to foster and enhance the learning environment.

Cohesive design on a fast-track schedule

With the students’ well-being and safety at the core of the overall design, the new multi-story school buildings provide an inspiring environment to enhance learning for more than 1,200 students each. The schools feature grade-specific academic wings, STEM or STEAM labs, media labs, production studios, performance stages, indoor gymnasiums, and music, band, and dance rooms.

 “Our design of these innovative learning environments reflects the needs of a diverse student population in Maryland. We were able to create engaging education spaces that feel connected, yet each offer their own unique aesthetic,” Michael Scarani, project lead for Stantec. “By delivering in half the typical time, we were able to meet the district’s ambitious goals to get its students into new, modern classrooms and help PGCPS address each of its communities’ space needs.”

 All schools are designed to meet LEED Silver Equivalent standards. Sustainability elements include tubular skylights and large windows to increase natural daylight, biophilic design principles, and ventilation systems to reduce the spread of virus. Each school features an outdoor environmental classroom with a canopy, student desks, and planting beds.

Stantec is ranked as a top 10 design firm by Engineering News-Record and Architectural Record and has ranked as the #1 A/E firm by Building Design + Construction for 11 consecutive years. Learn more about how Stantec designs for the future generation of learners.