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Meeting Date:
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5/27/2021 - 5:00 PM
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Category:
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Discussion Topics
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Type:
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Info
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Subject:
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The High School Project: Educational Design Team Update (Programs)
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ACPS 2025 Strategic Plan Goal:
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Goal 2: Instructional Excellence ACPS will ensure that all students have access to and engagement with high-quality instruction. Goal 4: Strategic Resource Allocation ACPS will strategically provide differentiated resources and supports to schools and departments.
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Funding Source or Fiscal Impact (where applicable)
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File Attachment:
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Agenda Item Summary:
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The Educational Design Team (EDT) reconvened in August of 2020. The focus of the meetings through April 2021 was on the Educational Specifications for the facility for the Minnie Howard campus. Perkins Eastman held a series of meetings with members of the EDT to discuss their subject area needs for the Minnie Howard building.
When the work with the architects concluded, the EDT transitioned to redefining the high school experience for the Connected Network. The EDT members familiarized themselves with the Virginia Profile of Graduate, the College, Career, Civic, Readiness Indicators, and the 21st Century Workplace Readiness Skills. These areas will serve as the framework for the next phase of work. The EDT has formed workgroups focused on the following areas: Project-Based Learning, Program of Studies, Student Experience, and Alternative Pathways.
The Industry Advisory Boards (IABs) have continued to meet virtually throughout the pandemic. However, due to the changes caused by COVID-19, the IABs pivoted their work and explored ways to provide virtual experiences for students and teachers. They provided guest speakers to classes and developed virtual job shadowing and externship opportunities. At the next quarterly meeting (on June 30, 2021), the IABs will summarize and reflect upon the past year's work and prepare for the 2021-2022 school year. The next phase of the IAB’s work will focus on collaborating with the EDT to assist with ACPS transition to more Project-Based Learning options and provide Work-Based Learning experiences for students and teachers.
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Background:
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The High School Project began in the summer of 2018, and has progressed steadily throughout the past two and a half years. On January 24, 2019, the School Board voted to continue The
High School Project works with a focus on several priorities and a commitment to a multi-option evaluation process. On September 26, 2019, the School Board voted in favor of a Connected High School Network strategy to address Alexandria’s future high school capacity needs, including the construction of an expansion to the T.C. Williams High School building on the portions of the Minnie Howard Campus fields. After over a year of planning work, ACPS hired Perkins Eastman in December 2020 to execute the pre-design and design for the redevelopment of the Minnie Howard Campus.
On January 21, 2021, the project team presented the preliminary analyses/test fits of the school program, fields, and affordable housing to help inform the School Board’s decision-making. The preliminary analysis confirmed that it is physically possible to accommodate a school building for a minimum of 1,600 students at one time, provide no net loss of fields and public open space, and accommodate all collocated uses currently under consideration, including either affordable housing or ACPS/City office use. The work session included a discussion of possible trade-offs related to land use and budget.
On February 4, 2021, the School Board voted unanimously to exclude affordable housing as a colocation option on the Minnie Howard campus. Other potential colocation opportunities are being explored.
In February 2021, the project team received the first draft of the EdSpec document from Perkins Eastman. The EdSpec document includes site-specific recommendations for the Minnie Howard Campus, including proposed capacity, an associated list of spaces, and budget requirements. A presentation of the main highlights in the EdSpec was presented at the February 18, 2021, School Board meeting. On March 4, 2021, the School Board voted to approve the full EdSpec document.
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Recommendation:
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The Superintendent recommends that the School Board review the attached materials and remain current with project progress.
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Approvals:
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Recommended By:
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Signed By:
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Dr. Terri H. Mozingo - Chief Academic Officer
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Signed By:
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Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr. - Superintendent
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