Newton Middle School

the story

As part of Littleton Public Schools’ 2018 Bond Program, the new Newton Middle School replaces an aging facility with a modern learning environment designed to support creativity, collaboration, and innovation. Developed through an extensive stakeholder-driven process, the school provides flexible academic spaces, specialized support programs, and exceptional wellness and athletic amenities that serve both students and the broader community.

at-a-glance

TYPE:

New Construction

SERVICES:

Architecture

Interior Design

Programming & Planning

LOCATION:

Littleton, CO

STATUS:

Completed 2021

SIZE:

160,000 SF

Littleton Public Schools sought to replace the existing Newton Middle School with a facility better aligned with contemporary teaching methods and the diverse needs of its student population. The vision was to create an inclusive, future-ready campus that supports varied learning models.

The design concept, goals and vision for the project were developed through the Design Advisory Group (DAG) process. DAG and User Group meetings, numbering nearly 20, enabled the community and District to provide vital input throughout the design process.

The selected design is organized based on its location on the site, the site’s topography, and the layout of other site elements, including the district stadium.

Safety and security were a significant focus of the design. The security solution includes layers of security that start at the school property and continue layer by layer into the interior.

The design incorporates classroom pods with flex breakout spaces, a learning stair, maker spaces, and larger-than-standard classrooms to create opportunities for group meetings and multi-purpose spaces. The unique design concept includes outdoor areas directly adjacent to the interior flex breakout and STEM spaces with large openings to allow projects to be moved outdoors.

<p>Classrooms feature varying types of seating to accommodate different exploratory learning settings, extensive daylighting, state-of-the-art technology, and connections to the outdoors.</p>

Classrooms feature varying types of seating to accommodate different exploratory learning settings, extensive daylighting, state-of-the-art technology, and connections to the outdoors.

The STEAM suite spaces are all interconnected to create a workflow for research, design, fabrication and testing.

<p>The school features athletic facilities rarely found in a middle school, including an indoor rock-climbing gym, a full fitness center, four basketball courts, and an indoor running track.</p>

The school features athletic facilities rarely found in a middle school, including an indoor rock-climbing gym, a full fitness center, four basketball courts, and an indoor running track.

A welcoming entry with invisible security features provides controlled access and protects staff while giving a warm and inviting feel.

The Newton Middle School replacement project is the flagship project for the LPS 2018 Bond Program and is LPS’s first replacement school in several decades…RTA’s leadership through the community engagement and programming process set the tone for this project.

Liz Munn

Deputy Program Director, Jacobs (Owner’s Representative for Littleton Public Schools)

2021 Architectural Portfolio Design Competition, Outstanding Middle School Design
Presented by American School & University