The new Lancaster High School combines 7th-12th grades, representing the second project in Lancaster County Public Schools’ (LCPS) consolidation plan. In concert with VMDO’s recent renovation/addition project that converted the county’s existing middle school to a K-6 elementary school, the new 700-student school replaces two aging facilities and consolidates resources, reduces overall operating expenses, and rebrands the educational experience in Lancaster County.

The project’s site celebrates the county’s rural, maritime aesthetic through native plantings and a variety of lawns within low-maintenance meadows. An existing, on-site irrigation pond, and its associated wetlands, serves as the primary focal anchor of the site – for views from the building, stormwater management, and extended learning opportunities.

The facility nestles into its gently sloping context, placing public program along its northern street edge and academic program distributed in a 3-story bar to the south. The building is organized on a strong east/west axis, maximizing natural daylighting and visual connections to the site. The modular design of core academic areas provides a variety of space types distributed in each wing and on each floor, enhancing the building’s flexibility of use. Floor layouts also include several informal breakout spaces to provide additional moments for social interaction.

With net-zero energy as a community priority from the outset, the high-performance building is focused on reduced energy usage and operating costs, supporting occupant comfort, and maximizing learning outcomes.