Montgomery County (Md.) will build a high school in Gaithersburg

The Montgomery (Md.) district is constructing a $180 million high school in Gaithersburg. 

Crown High School will be five stories and have space for about 2,200 students, reports Bethesda Magazine. 

The new school will relieve crowding at Gaithersburg, Northwest, Quince Orchard, Thomas S. Wootton and Richard Montgomery high schools. 

The lower level of the school will house the gym and other spaces open to the public. It will also have dining space, an indoor amphitheater and space for a special education program.

The next floor will have the child development program, the administrative wing, a media center and the performing arts wing.

The remaining floors will largely be dedicated to classrooms and labs.

The design calls for several courtyards; about 65% of the campus will be open space.

The building will be constructed for “optimal solar orientation,” and will generate power with solar panels and a geothermal energy system.

The school is expected to open in 2027. 

Stantec Architecture is the architect.