Capital Improvement Plan, 2006-2012

Appendix C

High School Space Specifications

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The District-wide Educational Specification document, approved by the Board June 1998, serves as a tool to describe the program and design requirements for any future high school planning in the District.

Educational Programs

The Anchorage high schools offer comprehensive programs that include a variety of offerings, both required and elective, in the following general-subject areas:

• Core Academics (English, Math, Social Studies, World Language, Science)
• Visual Arts
• Performing Arts (Instrumental Music, Vocal Music, Drama)
• Junior ROTC
• Physical Education/Health
• Family and Consumer Science
• Business Education/Marketing
• Technology Education

An extensive Vocational Education program is offered at the King Career Center.

Design Considerations

Several general characteristics must be considered in designing a new high school. The building must be carefully integrated with existing site conditions, nearby neighborhoods and traffic patterns. If the design involves renovation and additions, careful consideration must be given to the existing building to make it contiguous with the planned changes. Site circulation must be designed to safely zone different types of vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Building design must be organized to aid in wayfinding and be easy to supervise and monitor. Ample hallway and common space must be included. It must be possible to separate and secure public-use spaces from other school spaces while providing access to telephone and restroom facilities. Interior lighting must be appropriately provided to meet the needs of each instructional area. Exterior lighting must be balanced to provide safe ingress and egress at all hours. Exterior landscaping should be planned to integrate the existing vegetation, support site circulation, beautify the grounds and provide adequate on-site snow storage, without posing safety hazards. Bus areas and student drop-off/pick-up areas need to be separated from other traffic functions.

Project Parameters

The high school Educational Specification is designed to be flexible to meet the needs of a high school of 1200, 1600, or 2000 students in grades 9 through 12. Additionally, a plan was developed for a 600-student optional high school. The educational specifications can be applicable for future high schools and additions/renovations.

The summary of space requirements for these sizes of schools is based on the State of Alaska Secondary Space Allocation of 150 square feet per student. It is not possible to provide dedicated space for all the functions that occur in a modern high school. To accommodate the need for space, the educational specifications identify basic program space to be provided in all schools. Additional programs can be provided by prioritizing and combining use for the functions listed on the lower section of the Summary of Space chart.

Summary of High School Space Requirements

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