What is an educational space? A Google search for “educational learning spaces” will produce a plethora of articles about how things have changed dramatically since today’s moms were in school. Among the many reasons listed are neuroscience discoveries about how the brain functions, learning styles, and the importance of emotional connections. Not to mention the ever-changing models in teaching, how we learn, and of course, technology. So, what does all this mean for schools and how educational spaces are optimized in 2024?
- Out-of-the-box thinking about where and how students learn
- Safety has become a top priority in today’s reality of school violence
- The importance of design, furnishing, and aesthetics
- New or renovated schools are at an advantage over old ones
HOPE will have an opportunity to re-invent all of its educational spaces beginning June 2024 when ground is broken for a brand new high school campus.
One of the favorite spaces at the current high school is the “Commons” area outside where students transit daily on the way to and from class, gather for lunch, college fairs, social events, and so much more. It’s where our community and culture is nurtured. A core objective of the architects has been to preserve and expand this beautiful existing courtyard with its lush grass and mature shade trees, reimagining it as a mini college-style “mall” at the heart of the school.
In addition to this outdoor space, all new classrooms and an Arts and Sciences wing have been designed based on teacher collaboration and feedback. To foster the whole student experience, a brand new collegiate-sized gym will be built and a long awaited 450-seat performing arts center will host weekly chapel, band concerts, and main stage drama productions.
The primary objective of the new high school project is to replace and/or renovate all existing structures to establish an enduring, secure, and state-of-the-art facility. The intent is to maintain the vital spirit and sense of community that already thrives on the current campus, as well as a modern infrastructure essential to support HOPE’s dedication to delivering Christ-centered education of the highest caliber for future generations of students.
Although the student:teacher ratio will not change and average class size will remain small (18 students), classrooms in the new campus will be much more spacious, modern, and well-equipped.
HOPE has managed to weave its HOPE for the Next Generation movement into the spaces of each campus. We want to remind our students daily that they are loved and were made for a purpose. Clearly, an architectural structure doesn’t facilitate this . . . people do. However, visuals do play an important role. These “Truth Stairs” at the Elementary campus and this “You Matter” mural at the Middle School campus are two such spaces. Similar age and culture appropriate visuals will be found in community spaces of the new high school to achieve the same purpose.
The “family” atmosphere of HOPE, despite it being the largest private school in New Mexico with nearly 1,500 students on all three campuses, is a credit to the school’s leadership being laser-focused on said culture and to the school’s mission: to pray for, equip, and send Christ-centered, passionate leaders to change the world.
“My vision is for HOPE to provide the best comprehensive Christian education in the country. Having a state-of-the-art facility for our high school scholars, athletes, and thespian world-changers is icing on the cake!” – Terry Heisey, Head of School
