PPP Delivers Six Schools for Prince George’s County Public Schools in Maryland

One of the nation’s largest school districts, Prince George’s County Public School System, recently opened its sixth new school as part of its “Blueprint Schools” program. Located in Fort Washington, Maryland, the Colin L. Powell K-8 Academy opened to students in November 2023, and held its ribbon cutting Feb. 21. The additional five schools — Sonia Sotomayor Middle School at Adelphi, Drew-Freeman Middle School, Hyattsville Middle School, Kenmoor Middle School and Walker Mill Middle School — opened in September 2023.

The program was delivered as a 30-year public-private partnership by the Prince George’s County Education & Community Partners consortium comprised of: developer Fengate Asset Management and Gilbane Development Company, Design-Builder Gilbane Building Company, architect Stantec and facility services provider Honeywell.

The pioneering Blueprint Schools program was brought to life by implementing a design prototype that addresses aging and overcrowded facilities for each of the schools, ultimately getting more than 8,000 students into new classrooms two-and-a-half years after reaching financial close.

This innovative bundled delivery model, the first of its kind in the U.S., brought design equity to PGCPS and advanced local economic inclusion goals through diverse and local business utilization. Nearly 30% of total eligible costs were awarded to minority-owned businesses and community-based small businesses, while additional savings are expected to be realized in deferred maintenance and construction costs.

With the students’ well-being and safety at the core of the overall design, the new multi-story school buildings provide an inspiring environment to enhance learning for more than 1,200 students each. The schools feature grade-specific academic wings, STEM or STEAM labs, media labs, production studios, performance stages, indoor gymnasiums, and music, band and dance rooms.

All schools are designed to meet LEED Silver-equivalent standards. Sustainability elements include tubular skylights and large windows to increase natural daylight, biophilic design principles and ventilation systems to reduce the spread of virus. Each school features an outdoor environmental classroom with a canopy, student desks and planting beds.