Highlands School Expansion and Modernization

Highlands School was opened in 1914 and still proudly stands over a century later with its impressive brick and limestone facade. In 2018, design began on the modernization of the heritage school and a new 800-student capacity addition. Guiding the design of the project were the regal masonry exterior features of the 1914 structure and the ornate details running through the interior spaces. The new design had to blend respectfully with the original architectural elements.

To achieve this, the exterior of the new school building features bands of Glen-Gery red brick and Indiana Smooth Limestone with limestone pilaster caps and sills which work in harmony with the masonry details of the heritage building.

On the interior, the existing brick and limestone wall that was once part of the exterior facade is now showcased as a stunning two-story feature in the heart of the school. Along this wall, the original boy’s and girl’s entrance doors connect the new building to the existing building. Additional masonry features include Endicott thin brick, one-side terrazzo block, and custom Indiana limestone arches with bullnose trims.

In the span of Highlands School’s time as a cornerstone of the community, the strength of the masonry architecture has allowed the school to retain its original charm and remain a symbol of both educational heritage and architectural resilience. The modernization and expansion promises that the building will continue to endure for years to come.