District 5 Board Approves Design for New Middle School in Chapin

A new middle school planned for the Chapin area will feature a modern design with designated areas for each grade level, a gym, band, orchestra and choral rooms, and outdoor courtyards.

Lexington-Richland District Five school board members gave their approval Wednesday morning to the design for the new middle school, which district officials hope to open for the 2015-2016 school year. 

The new middle school will be built next to , and will house nearly 800 students in grades 7 and 8.

The two-story building will feature a "spine," a main hallway that connects all parts of the school.

Each grade level will have it's own "house," or group of classrooms where students take their core classes. The "houses" will also feature open areas in the middle of the group of classrooms where teachers can do collaborative teaching. 

Each grade level will also have its own secure courtyard so that teachers can take their lessons outdoors on occasion.

The cafeteria (which includes a stage), the gym and the performing arts rooms will all be on the first floor. The information resource center, a technology-enhanced library, will be on the second floor.

The plans for the new middle school, designed by Quackenbush Architects and Planners, also include room for growth. The school will be built with space for a future stadium and sports fields. The plans also include room to add another "house" for another grade level to be added in the future.

See the full presentation on the new middle school on the district's website.

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