BCA led two separate committ?ees through the process of designing this exci?ting new school in an effort to build consensus in a collaborati?ve environment throughout the District and Community. The desire to convey an a?ttitude of “Student Achievement” in a high quality, safe, educati?onal environment became the core of the design.

The 53 acre site is surrounded by future residenti?al sites in the growing north side of Merced just a few miles away from the UC Merced campus. The interconnected buildings wrap around a large central landscaped quadrangle that provides excep?tional visual supervision while allowing the public adequate a?fter hours access to areas such as the main 1,400 seat gym, the 450 seat proscenium performing arts theater, the 300 seat cafeteria, and the library.

The sweeping curve of the main two story educati?onal building has been designed to express the feeling of simple elegance to the Community of Merced. The project has been designed as a CHPS (California High Performance Schools) facility and will be built with durable products and materials such as masonry, steel, and high energy efficient equipment. One of the fundamental principals of the design is that “if students are provided with a quality learning environment they will respond with pride, commitment, and respect”.