Bard High School Early College

• Project highlights: Bard High School Early College

• Architecture firm:  Perkins Eastman
• Owner:  District of Columbia Department of General Services
• Location:  Washington, D.C.
• Category:  General
• Project site: Previously developed
• Building program type(s):  Education - K-12 school

Fueled by a belief that young minds are more than capable of college-level work, this school in Washington, D.C., is a tuition-free satellite campus of New York-based Bard College. This beacon of advanced education, arising from a partnership between the college and District of Columbia Public Schools, engages students in traditional high school courses for two years before transitioning them into college-level coursework, forging a more seamless and inclusive pathway to higher education. 

The cutting-edge net zero energy building has been a critical factor in shaping an environment that nurtures the school’s unique academic model. At four stories high, the school, which sits on the former Malcolm X Elementary School site, is one of the tallest structures in the neighborhood. Surrounded by small-scale residential buildings along Savannah Street, the new building harmonizes with its neighbors. Its athletic fields and outdoor spaces are a transition zone between the taller buildings along Alabama Avenue. 

The project, which is targeting LEED Platinum certification, was completed in two phases: the renovation of a portion of an abandoned community center and the construction of a new addition. Together, they form an educational environment that facilitates academic excellence and fosters a new generation of environmental stewards. The school is a prime example of how net zero energy is possible in existing facilities and proves that extremely high-performing buildings can be realized through small but impactful strategies. 

Its envelope satisfies the project’s overall energy goals and those of the learning environments within while also contributing to the Congress Heights neighborhood’s streetscape. The design team carefully studied the pattern and language of the existing windows, column lines, and proportions to create a sense of sequence for the new elevations. 

Serving predominantly minority, low-income students, the school invites students to experience college life at an early age. Key spaces, including classrooms, laboratories, administrative offices, gymnasium, an outdoor playground, and running tracks, are designed to be flexible and to support a wide range of educational activities and after-hours programs. Public access to these spaces makes the school a critical community asset. 

Since its completion, the school has profoundly impacted its students and the broader community. The school system now operates an innovative facility that supports its educational vision and can build on the Bard College network’s impressive 98.4% graduation rate. Most important, young people in the district can engage in college-level work in an environment that supports their potential.