The campus for these schools was nearly completely obscured by asphalt, creating unsafe and unpleasant pedestrian conditions. To alleviate the problem, the site design was reorganized to move all traffic and parking to the periphery of the campus and pedestrian walkways and courtyards to the interior of the campus. The goal was to not only improve aesthetics and connections between buildings and usability of the site for educational purposes, but to create a source of pride for the community, staff and students as well.

The new courtyard is divided into three areas: an upper level high school area with a curving trail and three seating areas surrounded by seatwalls, each large enough for a full class of students. The lower, middle school courtyard is bounded by the new building façade and generously glassed cafeteria, and a serpentine wall forming an ampitheater. Elevated planting beds surround a pattern-paved courtyard. The third area is the entrance area for the middle school gymnasium with new paving and planting areas to delineate the doorways and ticket window. Stamped and colored concrete patterns and European-style pavers are used throughout.

The landscape includes curving lines of trees and low shrubs, and new lighting adds a nighttime ambience that is both safe and subtle. With the newly organized bus and parent loops, parking to the periphery, and new lighting and plantings throughout, the new courtyard provides an elegant and playful environment, and is especially pleasing when viewed from the new middle school classroom wing.

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