High Plains School PreK – 8 STEAM School

Blending STEAM education and sustainability to create an engaging learning environment for future innovators.

High Plains is a 63,000-square-foot PreK–8 school located on a 14-acre site in Loveland, Colorado, designed to support innovative learning while serving as a model for environmental stewardship. Developed to accommodate approximately 590 students, the facility was the first school in the Thompson School District to implement an Arts-integrated STEM curriculum, creating a comprehensive STEAM educational experience that encourages creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration.

The school’s design supports hands-on, interdisciplinary learning by providing flexible educational spaces that foster exploration across science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. By integrating the arts into STEM instruction, the facility helps students develop both technical and creative problem-solving skills that prepare them for future academic and career opportunities.

Sustainability was a driving force behind the project and remains a visible part of the educational experience. Designed to achieve LEED Gold certification, the campus incorporates numerous environmentally responsible features that reduce energy consumption while creating opportunities for experiential learning. A geothermal energy system provides efficient heating and cooling, helping lower operational costs and reduce the building’s environmental footprint.

One of the school’s most distinctive features is an 870-square-foot green roof that serves as an outdoor classroom, allowing students to engage directly with concepts related to ecology, sustainability, and environmental science. The site also includes a multipurpose athletic field that supports physical education, recreation, and community activities, strengthening the connection between the school and the surrounding neighborhood.

The result is a forward-thinking educational campus that combines innovative teaching methods, sustainable design, and community-focused amenities to create a vibrant environment where students can learn, grow, and thrive.