FREEDOM MIDDLE SCHOOL
South Berwyn School District 100

In 1999, the district opened its first 7-8 middle school after re-grading six existing elementary schools as K-6. Continued growth resulted in the need for a second middle school, and growing enrollment at the elementary level forced a change to K-5 and 6-8. This new 6-8 middle school was programmed to provide parity of spaces and programs with the existing middle school, including its focus on encore space, specialized classrooms, and flexibility to adjust to shifts in educational programming and student populations.	The district’s property was a small triangular parcel of less than two acres. Adjacent municipal athletic fields provided the opportunity for shared use for physical education and sports. The unique site was a driving force in the school’s design, dictating a three story facility and limiting options for site and building access. Lack of space on the site restricts the buses to a single lane cut back from the existing street. The floor plan is extremely efficient and compact, yet provides natural light to all but a few spaces. The new school creatively blends its urban context with contemporary design.
		Type of Facility             Middle School Grades 6-8 Type of Project New Construction No. of Students 720 Square Footage 104,504 sq ft