HIGH SCHOOL
HIGH SCHOOL
Kī/Lā'ī/Tī Leaf: The kī represents the traditional practice of defining the sanctity of spaces, serving as a physical marker of spiritual protection and protocol. By establishing these boundaries, the campus is designated as a safe space, ensuring that the school remains a grounded sanctuary where the integrity of the learning environment is culturally and spiritually upheld.
A well‑planned high school campus organizes buildings and open spaces to support safety, accessibility, and intuitive wayfinding, using open sightlines and a clear circulation framework.
Program areas are intentionally placed in close proximity to strengthen daily connectivity; relationships that extend beyond what a two‑dimensional diagram can fully communicate. The goal is to minimize student travel distances between classes. Because high schools are structured around programs of study rather than grade levels, the site’s characteristics, along with the school’s scheduling model and program organization, influence which campus configuration is most effective. Three layout options are therefore presented.
The campus arrangement emphasizes spatial and operational efficiency, enabling smooth movement for students and staff. Multi‑story buildings preserve valuable open space for physical activity, create opportunities to connect with the ʻāina, and respond appropriately to the site’s unique conditions.
Pedestrian circulation is prioritized. Vehicular access is kept to the perimeter except where required for emergency response or maintenance. High school Career Technical Education programs often require more direct vehicle access than middle or elementary schools, so these areas must be designed to balance pedestrian safety with vehicular functionality.
High schools function as community hubs, hosting after‑hours activities such as robotics competitions, athletic events, and performances. This should inform the placement and accessibility of large gathering spaces and specialized facilities. Multi‑building campuses also create opportunities for informal student gathering along primary pedestrian paths. Designing supervisable, shaded, and comfortable outdoor hangout areas supports socialization and provides calming spaces between classes and throughout the day.
Radius
Garden
Zoned Perimeter
Note:
Diagrams are not drawn to scale and should not be read as floor plan layouts.
Administration
Administration is positioned at the front of the campus to serve as the primary point of contact and control point for access to the rest of the school
Administration has an easily identifiable front entrance and views of visitor parking and front entry
It should also have visible connection to the interior campus and quick access.
Student Support Services
While Student Support Services has some operational connections to Administration, it should be located closer to main student pathways and could even be attached to the Cafetorium to create more of a Student Hub
It should be oriented toward the Learning Communities to focus on student wellness.
Special Education
Classrooms are integrated within the Learning Communities and positioned with classroom building to minimize travel distances
Learning Communities
Academy or pathway clusters of classrooms are stacked for efficiency of space and are in close proximity to one another to share resources and specialized learning spaces.
This also frames outdoor spaces in between to encourage incorporating into the curriculum and academy.
Career and Technical Education
Embed with Learning Communities or in proximity
In proximity to Cafetorium and/or Outdoor Program Spaces when appropriate to curriculum
High Intensity or Specialized CTE spaces may need double height, making it difficult to stack,
Library Multipurpose Learning Center
Library Multipurpose Learning Center is centrally located for convenient access.
Opportunity to connect to Cafetorium and Student Support Services strengthens the concept of a Student Hub by bringing together primary student gathering spaces and encourage easy movement between the three.
Cafetorium
Large assembly area building with access to campus buildings as well as exterior service access
Convenient to parking for events and when used as a shelter
Outdoor dining area(s) adjacent to the cafetorium
Site depending, could be located by Gym to augment outdoor student gathering spaces
Piko
Main outdoor gathering area and symbolic center of the campus
Strong connection to primary student social gathering spaces
The Piko can also serve as a large school space for student gathering (pep rallies, music, carnivals, etc.), if site permits.
Parking
Quantity to cover all staff and minimum of 25 visitor stalls
Include parking area near service unloading zone for kitchen staff and custodians
Visitor stalls located near Administration
Student parking shall be designed and located to be securable and separate from staff and visitor parking. Quantity to be determined based on community needs, bus routes, etc
ADA stalls and EV charging stalls quantities and locations as required by code
Parking lots require lighting for safety, night events.
Bus Queuing
Shade and weather protection for students at bus waiting, or locate near Cafetorium or Gymnasium
Design bus circulation to exclude the necessity for backing up any buses
Consider separating bus entry/exit drive from parent drop off / pick up traffic and student parking; okay for buses to share driveway with cafeteria delivery vehicles
Bus drop-off area can be less convenient than parent drop off / pick up (bus traffic is controlled by contract); parent drop off / pick up needs to be simpler and more convenient
Consider traffic flow and volume of student parking entries and exits to avoid buses and parent pick up zones
Provide for curb-to-curb bus transportation located near Specialized Support Classrooms
Parent Drop Off / Pick Up
Provide ample on-site queuing for drop off /pick up lane
Locate near Administration or Cafetorium and configure so that logical drop off point for students is at the end of the lane
Students shall not cross traffic when entering or leaving vehicles. Students unload from right hand side of car
Avoid double and triple stacking car lanes
Vehicle Circulation
Good internal circulation is important. Prefer not to have to send vehicles off site
Traffic controls are to be used such as: stop signs, yield signs, speed bumps, raised pedestrian crossing tables, stop wording and stop bars on the ground, yellow zone curbs (for loading and unloading) and red zone curbs (no stopping), etc
When site configuration allows, entrance and exit driveways should be right turns only (left turns tend to be slow and traffic backs up)
Design should support safety of pedestrians and easy visual supervision
Pedestrian Circulation
Provide walkway connections to all adjacent public walkways in street rights-of-way
Maintain and identify fire lanes and emergency access to school facility entries as required by code
Universal Design
Accessibility throughout the entire campus for all students to travel throughout all spaces
Ramps and elevators - consider connectivity between buildings to promote redundancy of elevator access
Yellow curbing strips for low visibility students/staff
Service / Unloading Area
Delivery truck routes do not cross student paths to fields or other main site amenities
Flat delivery area (no loading dock, but delineate area with striping)
Smooth surface with curb cuts as required, for carts, dollies or pallets to wheel materials into Kitchen or Custodial Center
Nearby area for golf cart charging and secure storage (confirm number of carts during design)
Consider access and functionality when locating grease trap outside of cafeteria
Garbage Collection
Secure enclosure for 3-4 large trash bins with easy access on one long side
Verify size of trash bins with Facilities Maintenance Branch during design
Locate a minimum 50 ft. from kitchen door and other occupied areas to reduce impact of odors on nearby activities
Consider prevailing winds when locating
Can Wash
Hose bib with sanitizing spray system
Proximity to kitchen delivery door as well as garbage collection
Provide visual / spray screen on three sides, with ample room for usage and storage of cans
Provide adequate drainage
Bicycle / Skateboard / Scooter parking
Provide anchored fixtures for bike and scooter parking, as well as skateboards
Locate in supervised area, at periphery of main pedestrian areas
Consider walkability to school site when determining quantities
Provide areas for future expansion