CLIENT: Carlsbad Unified School District

138,696 SF

Sage Creek High School is a comprehensive high school with an emphasis on environmental learning and experience. The 56-acre campus is located three miles east of the ocean at the edge of an open space preserve. To emphasize the idea of a dynamic balance of man-made environment with nature; the architectural and site design fosters an intellectual understanding and experience of natural systems. RNT's design allowed the eastern part of the hillside to return to the native landscape and seamlessly exist with the nature preserve. The campus is organized to minimize impact and grading to the natural environment by integrating the slope into the site design as well as maintaining the building and site improvement in compact scale. For a smaller footprint, two-story buildings are located along a Promenade, a central circulation spine, which is running north-south, connecting the campus drop-off turn around and the north athletic fields. The learning spaces are diverse with many types of indoor and outdoor gathering venues. These spaces are intended to engage students and provide an inspirational learning atmosphere. The high school houses 1,500 students and includes classrooms, science labs, administration, library, media center, food services, gym, lockers and fine arts. The gymnasium includes a weight machine and cardiovascular equipment area, locker rooms, multipurpose rooms, reception areas and indoor courts for sports competitions. The multiple indoor basketball and volleyball courts have large areas for spectator seating. The athletic fields include a football stadium, baseball field, soccer field, softball field and basketball and tennis courts. This school is Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) verified.