Freire Middle School
Friere Charter’s High School in Center City Philadelphia proved successful at improving the academic performance of at-risk students. The challenge was to create a nearby middle school to allow intervention earlier in the student’s progress. With real estate at the City’s commercial core at a premium, the answer was found at an abandoned Woolworth’s, where renovations allowed the school to occupy space above and below an active department store.
Bright colors enliven the interior and code the various grades and classrooms.
Access to views and natural light at the large second floor means the classrooms are arranged in a donut at perimeter windows, with library and lab spaces at the interior.