Upper Arlington High School

The sprawling facility features a three-story academic building with learning studios (classrooms) organized around two collaborative commons spaces flanked at opposite ends of the building. The interconnected layout within the commons promotes flexible instruction and enhances student engagement – positioning them for academic and future career success. Strategically designed learning spaces of varying scales are located inside a two-story learning center within academic building core. Administration and counseling offices are dispersed across each floor, ensuring that students have immediate access to services when needed.

A broad, multipurpose “boulevard” operates as the school’s dining commons and central core, connecting academics, musical arts, and athletic programs into one, seamlessly engaging facility. Numerous lounge and meeting spaces containing modular furniture offer various configurations for students to discover their ideal learning and social environments within a light-filled, open space. Over 8,000 square feet of mezzanine space overlooks the boulevard, providing both visual and physical connections to the academic spaces and second floor dining commons. The contemporary high school also features an expanded performing arts program that was meticulously designed to include a 1500-seat auditorium and black box theater, in addition to chorus, band, and orchestra classrooms. Athletic facilities include a natatorium with a 10-lane natatorium, a three-court multi-purpose gym, and a varsity gym that can be used as one main court or three practice courts as needed.

Moody Nolan teamed up with Perkins&Will to design the visionary high school as part of a two-year master planning endeavor for the Upper Arlington School District. The resulting facility reflects the school district’s commitment to educational excellence through design that encourages collaboration and innovation.