K-12

Boca Ciega High School
(In Progress)

Gulfport, FL

Pinellas County School Board | 266,600 SF | 2012 (estimated)

Built in 1953, the original Boca Ciega High School is being replaced by a 266,600 square foot facility that will accommodate up to 2,550 students. The current school has remained occupied and functional while the new school undergoes phased construction on its 40-acre campus.

Boca Ciega High's new design incorporates the unique concepts of educational consultant Willard R. Daggett and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. By following the concepts of the Daggett Model School, Harvard Jolly is creating a nontraditional campus that separates each grade level into separate buildings, or "learning communities." The learning communities will limit interaction between the varying age groups while creating more cohesiveness within them. Each grade will have its own team of teachers, and the buildings will house more pods, computer labs, and work areas.

The design supports an academic progression that will allow freshmen to focus on the adjustment to high school. Likewise, sophomores will dedicate their time to general education curriculum and the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT). Juniors and seniors will take courses in liberal arts, pre-engineering, technology, vocational fields, and medicine to prepare them for their transition to college or the professional world.

In addition to the new construction, the school is undergoing renovations to the gym, field house, music building and a 400-student medical magnet building.

The new high school is targeted to achieve LEED Silver Certification.