Highlands Elementary School is located in the north end of Boise Idaho.  Due to the condition of the existing school, it was determined that constructing a new school would be the most cost effective and feasible method to achieve the additional educational spaces required.
 
The new Highlands Elementary School has been designed to replace the outdated and non-code compliant school built in 1961.  With overwhelming support from the neighbors, the School District decided to build a new school rather than remodeling the existing building, to provide students with a new school that was designed to fit perfectly with the site and terrain.
 
The new 42,223 s.f. school built on the existing site, takes advantage of the slope to allow the gymnasium to be down on the playground level for easy access, connecting the classrooms to the cafeteria and kitchen.  There are 16 classrooms to accommodate the k – 6th programs, 4 resource rooms, an administration suite, media center and music room.
 
The new school design uses continuous insulation exterior walls incorporating no maintenance brick and porcelain tile that also exceeds Energy Code by 26.9% while creating the residential character that the neighborhood demanded.  A great fit to the site and neighborhood is a win-win.