The new $50 million, 400,000-square-foot Anchor Bay High School in New Baltimore, Mich., is on a 100-acre site. It is designed to accommodate 1,800 students with the potential to expand to 2,200 students.
Academic classrooms will be organized into two-story smaller learning communities, or houses. Each house will accommodate 450 students and is designed to create a more intimate and interactive learning environment for students. These communities will feature general classrooms, science labs, computer labs and specialized spaces.
The library media center will be situated on the second floor, overlooking the student commons area. Internet access, a distance-learning lab and a multimedia workroom will be incorporated into the center.
A centralized commons area will serve as a circulation spine, socialization space and dining facility for students. The commons also will be used as a lobby for the school's auditorium and gymnasium. The performing-arts wing will feature an 850-seat auditorium, drama classroom, scene shop, video-production studio and dressing rooms. In addition, there will be three large rehearsal rooms for instrumental and vocal music, and practice rooms for individual and ensemble groups.
The school will feature two gymnasiums. The main gymnasium will include seating for 2,000 spectators, three practice courts for basketball or volleyball and a two-lane running track. The auxiliary gymnasium will provide a smaller venue for basketball, volleyball and wrestling.
An additional element to the school's athletic program will be a 3,000-seat football, track and soccer stadium. The stadium will include concession stands, storage rooms and restrooms.
Architect for the project is TMP Associates, Inc. (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.).
For more information on these projects and others, visit www.schooldesigns.com.
