ON THE MAP | Sustainable Design and Student Well-Being Guide Alexandria’s New High School Campus

Perkins Eastman’s design for Alexandria City High School’s Minnie Howard campus sets a new standard for sustainable, inclusive K–12 learning environments.
Oct. 14, 2025
2 min read

Key Highlights

  • Perkins Eastman’s redesign of Alexandria City High School’s Minnie Howard campus sets a forward-looking example of sustainable, inclusive, and high-performing K–12 design.
  • Flexible classrooms and collaborative hubs encourage hands-on exploration across arts, science, and CTE programs, supporting a more interdisciplinary approach to learning.
  • Natural light, enhanced air quality, and acoustic ceiling solutions create comfortable, focused environments that support student well-being and engagement.
  • Community resources—including a Teen Wellness Center, Family Resource Center, and Early Childhood Center—extend the school’s mission of equity and innovation beyond the classroom.
Image courtesy of Judy Davis | Rockfon
At Alexandria City High School’s Minnie Howard campus, students gather in a CTE lab with high-quality lighting and acoustic ceiling solutions that improve focus.

Perkins Eastman designed Alexandria City High School’s Minnie Howard campus to integrate spaces for interdisciplinary education with a holistic approach to sustainability and student well-being.

The redevelopment of Alexandria City High School’s Minnie Howard campus in Alexandria, Virginia, reflects a comprehensive approach to next-generation educational environments and serves as a national model for sustainable, healthy, and high-performing school design.

Expanding Capacity for Interdisciplinary Learning

Serving nearly 5,000 students, Alexandria City High School required an adjunct facility to expand interdisciplinary learning. The new Minnie Howard facility replaces a former elementary school building, introducing flexible spaces that support experiential learning across arts, science, and career and technical education (CTE) programs.

Designing for Equity, Innovation, and Energy Efficiency

Designed by Perkins Eastman, the high-performance campus design emphasizes equity, inclusion, innovation, and energy efficiency. Classrooms and a multi-floor “Creative Commons” atrium maximize natural light while maintaining energy performance, creating brighter, more engaging spaces for collaboration.

Enhancing Wellness Through Acoustic and Environmental Comfort

Enhanced air circulation, acoustic management, and thermal comfort translate into quieter classrooms, improved concentration, and reduced stress levels. Rockfon’s acoustic stone wool ceiling systems play a key role in achieving these wellness-driven outcomes, offering durable, high-performance solutions that complement the school’s sustainability goals.

A Community Hub for Inclusive, Lifelong Learning

Beyond the classroom, the Minnie Howard campus integrates community-led resources—including a Teen Wellness Center, Family Resource Center, and Early Childhood Center—advancing Alexandria’s commitment to equitable, inclusive, and innovative education for all.

More on Community-Centric School Design

About the Author

Robert Nieminen
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Robert Nieminen

Chief Content Director

Chief Content Director, Architectural Products, BUILDINGS, and interiors+sources

Robert Nieminen is the Chief Content Director of three leading B2B publications serving the commercial architecture and design industries: Architectural Products, BUILDINGS, and interiors+sources. With a career rooted in editorial excellence and a passion for storytelling, Robert oversees a diverse content portfolio that spans award-winning feature articles, strategic podcast programming, and digital media initiatives aimed at empowering design professionals, facility managers, and commercial building stakeholders.

He is the host of the I Hear Design podcast and curates the Smart Buildings Technology Report, bringing thought leadership to the forefront of innovation in built environments. Robert leads editorial and creative direction for multiple industry award programs—including the Elev8 Design Awards and Product Innovation Awards—and is a recognized voice in sustainability, smart technology integration, and forward-thinking design.

Known for his sharp editorial vision and data-informed strategies, Robert focuses on audience growth, engagement, and content monetization, leveraging AI tools and SEO-driven insights to future-proof B2B publishing.

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