An innovative learning environment offers its community career and technical education programming

West Fork High School

As the third high school in the New Caney Independent School District, West Fork High School in Kingwood is a milestone project. District leaders envisioned an innovative learning environment that would offer career and technical education (CTE) programs to support trades in the local community. They gathered valuable feedback through community surveys which indicated high demand for health, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and pharmaceutical programs—that would inform our design and provide students with career readiness.

During the project’s design phase, our design team helped the client identify their vision and goals through a series of visioning sessions that would guide the school’s design. With a full kitchen, dining space, auditorium for 600, four learning communities, and fine arts studios, the campus will host a maximum enrollment of 1350 students for Phase 1 and a total student capacity of 2,250 at the end of Phase 2. Athletic facilities consist of competition and auxiliary gyms, football field with stadium seating 1,500, field house, softball and baseball fields, and tennis courts. Use of tilt wall construction added value to the project budget while providing a collegiate feel.

Our design incorporates biophilic design elements which increase connectivity to the natural environment around the campus—it’s surrounded by many existing pine trees that were preserved and features a vibrant and secure central courtyard with views into it from all learning spaces.