Matapeake Middle School & 9th Grade Academy
Maritime design + sustainable infrastructure
Located on Kent Island at the gateway to Maryland’s Eastern Shore, this new middle school draws architectural inspiration from the region’s nautical heritage with a design reflecting a ship’s hull.
Sited on shared land with Matapeake Elementary School, the facility leveraged pre-installed utility infrastructure from the primary school project to streamline construction.
Like its neighbor, the middle school utilizes an energy-efficient geothermal HVAC system for sustainable heating and cooling.
Pioneer 9th-grade academy model
Designed for an 800-student capacity, the building launched with a unique dual-enrollment strategy to relieve severe overcrowding at nearby Kent Island High School—a first-of-its-kind model in Maryland.
The facility initially accommodated 500 middle schoolers (grades 6–8) while housing 300 high school freshmen in a dedicated second-floor “9th Grade Academy.” This setup allowed high schoolers to maintain their distinct identity while sharing high-capacity building amenities.
Village-style learning clusters
To break down the scale of the 800-student facility, the interior organizes classrooms into smaller grade-level “villages” and two distinct learning communities for the high school academy.
These self-contained classroom clusters create intimate, friendly atmospheres that support team-teaching and multi-grade group instruction. The layout fosters strong academic connections while preventing the congestion typical of larger, centralized secondary schools.
Nautical-inspired axis + secure entry
The floor plan centers on a wide main corridor, conceptually designed as the “keel” of the ship, that serves as the primary spine for building circulation.
This central pathway connects public assembly spaces, including the cafeteria, music suite, and gymnasium with its performance stage, while maintaining a clear buffer from the academic wings.
Positioned at the heart of this main spine, the administrative suite directly oversees all main entries and visitor movement.
