The Lakeland School System (LSS) is once again in the spotlight as the new middle school tonight (11.4.17) was named “School of the Year” for excellence in architectural design.
Dr. Ted Horrell, LSS superintendent, announced the Tennessee School Board Association (TSBA) recognized Lakeland Middle Preparatory School (LMPS) as the statewide winner of the middle school division of its annual award.
The ceremony was tonight in Nashville at the TSBA leadership conference and annual convention at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center.
“The award was presented to the design firms of Renaissance Group Inc. and A2H, Inc. both of Lakeland, who partnered on the architectural design of the school for grades 5-8 that opened in August this year,” said Dr. Horrell. “Doug Burris was the lead architect from Renaissance Group on the project, and Stewart Smith was the lead architect from A2H. Chris Woods Construction Company was the general contractor on the project. The Lakeland Board of Education (LSB) was also named as a recipient of the award. The Board consists of Chair Kevin Floyd, Vice-Chair Laura Harrison, Kelley Hale, Teresa Henry and Geoff Hicks.”
TSBA awards ceremony in Nashville tonight. From left, Kelley Hale, Geoff Hicks, Stewart Smith, Dr. Ted Horrell, Angie Thweatt, Doug Burris, Teresa Henry, Mike Terry and Jerry James. Photo courtesy of Dr. Horrell.
Dr. Horrell worked with both architectural firms as well as Dr. Jim Mitchell of the consulting firm Southern Educational Strategies, LLC on the building design.
From Mr. Floyd:
“Our goal was to build a school on time and under budget that reflected the aesthetics and quality that our community values,” said Chairman Floyd.
Kevin Floyd
Along with Dr. Horrell, LSB members attending were Mrs. Hale, Mrs. Henry and Mr. Hicks. Representing Renaissance Group were Mr. Burris, senior vice president and partner, AIA, NCARB, and Mike Terry, senior vice president and partner, AIA. Mr. Smith, senior architect, A1A, EDAC, LEED AP, attended for A2H along with Jerry James and Angie Thweatt, project civil engineer.
From Mr. Burris:
“Renaissance Group is very honored to be recognized for the TSBA design award for Lakeland Middle Preparatory School. We take pride in every school we do, and each project is uniquely different. We are especially proud of the Lakeland School System for being such a “young” school system and Board (3 years) for never having done a project like this before. Chairman Floyd, the Board and Dr. Horrell have been a dream to work with. We are glad to have been successful in bringing this project significantly under budget and right on time, thanks to the help of A2H, Chris Woods Construction and SES consulting teams.”
Doug Burris
From Mr. Smith:
“It has been a short time since A2H was In Nashville last with the School Board of Lakeland discussing the new school and its design. Now we (Lakeland, A2H, and Renaissance) are being recognized by TSBA for an award for Lakeland Prep. Two Lakeland design firms combined their resources and talents along with the community of Lakeland and the School Board to develop and create Lakeland Prep.
“The site was master planned for a future high school addition incorporating the buildings and sports fields to take advantage of the heavily wooded site, creating a unique campus environment.
“The school features a public concourse that allows the community to have access to the building’s amenities, including venues such as the library, assembly space and gymnasium, and connects to the future high school and its amenities. The future expansion will complete a quadrangle [and] a unified campus feel.”
Stewart Smith
For the Lakeland System, this is the third honor in less than a month.
For the second year in a row when scores were available, the LSS district-wide TCAP (Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program) achievement scores, grades 3-5, ranked number one in Tennessee in both math and reading/language arts.
In addition, the Tennessee Department of Education named LSS an Exemplary School District for the second time in as many years of eligibility. Exemplary districts meet state-set requirements for student achievement, and student growth in total student population as well as individual sub-groups of students. The recognition reflects the performance of students at the K-5 Lakeland Elementary School which was Lakeland’s only school in 2016-17. LSS
This year, the System began educating students in grades K-8 with the opening of LMPS.
