Thomas A. Edison High School
Beaverton, Oregon

Owner:  Thomas A. Edison High School
Area:     7,600 sf
Cost:     $1,700,000

  Edison High School is an alternative school devoted to helping students with learning challenges succeed. The building serves a small student body and is located on the campus of an existing private high school. Because of the school’s physical setting and its extraordinary mission, the building is designed with the school’s intimate, community-oriented tradition in mind. To foster a sense of togetherness and community, the building is arranged around a large room where all staff and students gather once each day. Surrounding this space and radiating from it are classrooms, administration and support spaces. The building plan encourages student to student and student to teacher contact. Hallways are designed for loitering and the access to classrooms is through the central two story gathering space.