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Photo: The new campuses include a high school, a K-8 school, an early learning center and a state-of-the-art athletic facility to accommodate the children of the Villages employees.听

Inside the 600,000 square foot high school, K-8 and early learning center expansion project听

By Ryan Strandquest and J. David Torbert, AIA听听

The developer that created the vision for Florida’s Friendliest Hometown, The Villages, expanded its vision for Central Florida by creating a new community for a younger population called Middleton. Within this new community are three new campuses for The Villages Charter School (TVCS), created specifically for children of qualified employees of The Villages and employment partners. The new campuses include a high school, a K-8 school, an early learning center and a state-of-the-art athletic facility to accommodate the children of this expanding employee base.听听

Growing Educational Needs听听

TVCS, established in 2000, is a shining example of public charter school success in Florida, earning 19 consecutive “A” grades from the Florida Department of Education and the “Cognia School and Systems of Distinction” award.听

When TVCS needed additional capacity due to an expanding student base, it sought a designer team that could capture its vision, meet the school鈥檚 opening deadlines, and design three distinct campuses that fit within the constraints of a new master-planned community. Construction on the final campus components was completed in December 2024.听

The Project Team听

Constructing the extensive project within a community that was also under construction presented a challenge, intensified by the critical need to coordinate with the construction teams for everything from roadways and utilities to residential and community spaces. In addition, TVCS Middleton campus required a focus on student-centered design, sustainability, storm resilience, state-of-the-art features and outdoor learning spaces. As part of this effort, Matern Professional Engineering of Maitland, Fla.鈥攚hich managed mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire-protection building systems for the project鈥攁nd architect Schenkel Shultz of Winter Park, Fla., collaborated with The Villages developer and other design and construction partners to create the campuses.听听

Led by Schenkel Shultz, the design team envisioned an educational environment that respected the master plan of Middleton while simultaneously planning for TVCS鈥� growth for decades to come. Matern Professional Engineering prioritized safety, functionality, and resiliency in designing the building systems to ensure lasting functionality.听听

A Cutting-Edge Campus听听

Inspired by collegiate campuses, the new charter high school epitomizes 21st century learning. Spanning 383,961 square feet, the school includes advanced classrooms, career and technical education programs, cutting-edge technology, flexible learning spaces, and STEM labs tailored for science, business, banking administration, construction, engineering, theater and dance.听听听

Positioned as a pivotal anchor, the three seamlessly connected campuses create a strong sense of community and a path toward knowledge. The second-story Media Center takes in broad views of the adjacent town center, while incorporating state-of-the-art technology and furniture that caters to college-bound students. The school鈥檚 Performing Arts Academy is home to the Tracy Performing Arts Center and the Encore at The Tracy Theater, where both students and community members can enjoy the arts.听听

The Athletic Complex serves as a shared space, offering a main gym, annex courts, a wrestling room and a weight room. The campus also features an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a 4,000-seat football stadium, baseball and softball fields, tennis courts, practice fields and a golf putting green. Inside the facility is a main arena with seating for 1,200 guests and two full-length basketball courts, along with an auxiliary gym that can seat 1,100 and accommodate four additional courts. The facility provides an elevated and inclusive environment for athletic events and competitions statewide. Local, state, and national teams utilize the collegiate-grade athletic facilities throughout the seasons, making the campus an athletic destination for Central Florida.听听

Modern K-8 Facilities听听

In addition to the high school, a compact K-8 school incorporates adaptive and community-centric spaces. The 247,946-square-foot school鈥檚 design thoughtfully integrates with the regional surroundings, while fostering an atmosphere of inclusivity, warmth and community-based learning. At the heart of the school lies a cutting-edge hub designed to foster collaboration, with a special emphasis on the liberal arts. This dynamic outdoor space is divided into three distinct areas: Discovery, encouraging exploration and the expansion of knowledge; Collaborative, where teamwork and cooperation thrive; and Fun, celebrating creativity and enjoyment. A multi-functional courtyard is designed to accommodate outdoor dining and community events.听听听

Five vertical light wells and custom graphics that evolve in sophistication as students move from elementary to middle school enhance the campus. Meanwhile, learning is enhanced by integrating technology in both indoor and outdoor settings, as each classroom is equipped with computers and interactive projector screens to create a dynamic, interactive learning environment. The gymnasium features three full-size courts, allowing for grade separation during athletic events, and includes an elevated stage for performances. With outdoor food-to-table learning gardens and abundant natural daylight, the design prioritizes energy efficiency and locally sourced materials. Low-VOC specifications further contribute to the sustainable ethos of the building.听

To learn more about the project, including the unique Early Childhood Learning Center and the engineering collaboration required to bring the project to life, and the project team, read the .听

Ryan Strandquest is president of Matern Professional Engineering. He can be reached at rstrandquest@matern.net.听听

J. David Torbert is a partner at Schenkel Shultz. He can be reached at jdtorbert@schenkelshultz.com.听听