J. Frank Dobie High School Ninth Grade Campus

The goal of the design was to provide a school that engages students and stimulates learning while providing a place that allows students to transition from the middle school environment to high school experience. Due to the anticipated growth in enrollment for upcoming years, Pasadena ISD decided to open a new ninth grade campus housing exclusively freshmen students.

The architectural design for the new school features several open areas for students to collaborate and discuss their ideas, including a large flex area outside the library that can be used for presentations, classes or meetings with fellow classmates. The natural light flows into the interior learning spaces, creating an inviting and stimulating atmosphere. In the middle of it all is a large and secure exterior courtyard, beautifully landscaped for students to enjoy while eating lunch, attending an outside lecture, or socializing after school.

The new campus is located just a few miles from the existing high school. The close proximity served as an inspiration for the design of the new building, mirroring the campus with the use of similar materials and colors. The distance, however, also gives the new campus the opportunity to be its own entity, with fresh ideas that celebrate a student’s start in a high school environment.