Paetow High School

High School and a Junior High School

Client: Katy Independent School District
Market: K-12 Education
Discipline: Architecture + Interiors
Project Area: 624,343 sq. ft.

The Katy Education Village

The project consists of both a High School and a Junior High School with a similar program of spaces as Tompkins High School and Seven Lakes Junior High School. The High School is developed with a 9th Grade Center, with a proposed capacity of 600 students. In addition, other academic areas are to house grades 10, 11 and 12, with a proposed capacity of 2,400 students and a core capacity of 3,000 students with a gross square footage of 624,343. As a comprehensive high school, this facility is designed with two 3-story academic wings that contain classrooms, administration, CTE classrooms and labs, collaboration spaces and science labs. All science labs and some CTE program spaces are located on the third level. The first floor is home to the primary administration offices, Learning Commons, Performing Arts Center, separate Dining Commons for 9th grade as well as 10th-12th grade students, a centralized kitchen, Physical Education, Natatorium, CTE, Fine Arts and other support spaces.

Circulation

A main student circulation spine will flank the green space, providing views to this outdoor area. This represents a significant improvement from existing multi-campus sites where campuses are often separated by parking areas and driveways. The committee felt this outdoor plan was a good improvement.

Learning Green

A significant outdoor feature is a large common green space between the two schools for student use and activities. The “Learning Green,” as it is called, is intended to provide a walking path, outdoor learning gardens and teaching amphitheater. Several of the learning areas such as the Learning Commons and Dining Commons of both schools will have views of the green space with the potential for outdoor dining.