Edward E. Drew, Jr. Middle School
Fredericksburg, VA
Size: 176,314 SF
Samaha was commissioned by Stafford County Public Schools to design the replacement Edward E. Drew, Jr. Middle School with a new concept that focused on efficiency, flexibility, and meeting all educational needs, while allowing the model to be used as a future prototype. The team proposed a three-story solution to limit the site development area and reduce construction costs on the approximately 40-acre site. The tight building footprint allowed the team to provide separate bus and kiss-and-ride loops, multiple playfields, a stadium, and ample parking within the elongated site. Proposed road improvements realigned the intersection of Leeland and Clift Farm Roads along with turn lane improvements to minimize traffic impact.
The new middle school accommodates a capacity of 1,100 students and includes locker bays on each of the three grade-level floors which can be converted in the future to provide nine additional classrooms or six labs with limited interior renovations, which would expand the student capacity to 1,325. The design accommodates the full middle school program including an auditorium, science labs for each grade level, a technology suite, a large special education program, work and family studies, and vibrant arts and music programs.
Samaha’s recent experience bringing in Stafford County’s two newest elementary schools on schedule and under budget gave the school system the confidence to allow our team to propose innovative solutions. One employed design met the school’s goal of providing a large auditorium when only a forum was funded in the capital budget. Our team proposed a design that shared space with the athletic program to provide a bifurcated auditorium with an athletic floor and telescoping bleachers at the rear and fixed raked seating near the stage. The folding wall allows the auditorium to function as two sizes for intimate settings or large-scale performances. The courtyard also provides additional space for the school without adding costly square footage that can be used to expand dining and social opportunities, team teaching in the small amphitheater, or serve to expand lobby space for the auditorium or gym during school functions.
