WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2025
2:00 – 2:45 PM
Mat-Su Central School
2055 N. Stringfield Road,
Palmer, AK 99645
Please park in the side lots and we will meet by the front doors.
1 LU|HSW
The new Mat-Su Central School is a 47,000-square-foot educational facility designed to support the evolving needs of homeschool and hybrid learners in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. Located off Trunk Road in Palmer, Alaska, this purpose-built campus replaces the school’s former leased space, offering a permanent home that reflects the district’s commitment to flexible, student-centered learning. The facility includes collaborative learning environments, technology-integrated classrooms, and community gathering spaces that empower families and educators to co-create personalized educational experiences. The project represents a significant investment in educational innovation, equity, and long-term sustainability for the region.
Learning Objectives:
- Explore the Design Principles Behind Hybrid and Homeschool Learning Environments
Examine how the architectural layout and spatial programming of Mat-Su Central School supports flexible scheduling, individualized instruction, and family engagement.
- Understand the Role of Community in Charter and Alternative Education Models
Learn how the school’s design fosters a sense of belonging and shared ownership among students, parents, and educators through multipurpose spaces and accessible design.
- Evaluate the Transition from Leased to Purpose-Built Educational Facilities
Assess the operational, pedagogical, and financial benefits of moving from a leased facility to a custom-designed campus tailored to the school’s mission and growth trajectory.
- Apply Lessons from the Mat-Su Central Project to Future Educational Planning
Identify key takeaways from the planning, design, and construction process that can inform similar projects focused on alternative education delivery models.
Project Team:
Architect of Record: MCG Explore Design
Civil, Electrical and Mechanical Engineer: RESPEC
Structural Engineer: CRW Engineering Group LLC
Landscape Architect: Corvus Design Landscape Architecture
Contractor: F-E Contracting, Inc.
Owner District: Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
3:05 – 3:50 PM
American Charter Academy School
3434 N Church Road, Wasilla AK 99654
Construction tour. Meet in front of the contractors main job trailer.
1 LU|HSW
The new American Charter Academy School represents a transformative step forward in educational infrastructure for the Meadow Lakes and Wasilla area communities. This 29,000-square-foot facility, currently under construction on Church Road in Wasilla, will replace the school’s existing leased location, offering a purpose-built environment designed to support academic excellence and community engagement. The new campus will provide modern classrooms, collaborative learning spaces, and enhanced safety and accessibility features tailored to the needs of K–8 students. By investing in a permanent, state-of-the-art facility, the Academy aims to foster long-term educational growth, strengthen its identity, and better serve the families of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the Strategic Importance of Purpose-Built Educational Facilities
Learners will explore how transitioning from leased commercial spaces to dedicated school buildings can enhance educational outcomes, community perception, and operational efficiency.
- Analyze the Role of Infrastructure in Supporting Personalized and Innovative Learning Models
Learners will examine how modern school design—including flexible classrooms and integrated technology—can support differentiated instruction, project-based learning, and student agency.
- Evaluate the Impact of School Location and Design on Community Engagement and Accessibility
Learners will assess how relocating to a central, purpose-built site improves access for families, supports safe transportation routes, and strengthens ties with local stakeholders.
- Apply Principles of Educational Planning to Charter School Development
Learners will apply planning and policy frameworks to understand the challenges and opportunities involved in charter school expansion, including funding, site selection, and long-term sustainability.
Project Team:
Architect of Record: Wolf Architecture, Inc.
Civil, Structural, Electrical and Mechanical Engineer: RESPEC
Contractor: Roger Hickel Contracting, Inc.
Owner District: Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
4:15 – 5:15 PM
Houston High School
12801 W. Hawk Lane,
Houston, AK 99694
Please park in the front lot and meet by the front doors.
1 LU|HSW
After the 2018 earthquake Houston Middle School was condemned and the district saw the opportunity to create the kind of school that would help the community. With a desire to create a school reflecting their needs, the school district elected to transform the site of Houston Middle School into a brand new CTE focused high school. BDS Architects planned and designed the CTE learning spaces, including a construction lab, welding lab, and culinary arts lab, as well as traditional classroom space for academics. The design of the new building focused on providing flexible spaces for different learning styles and group sizes, upgrading the gym to include a warm-up court and weight room, and exposing the structural, mechanical and electrical elements of the building as a learning tool for the CTE construction lab. Above all, the building displays Houston Hawk pride by incorporating eye catching red accents everywhere to unify the school.
Learning Objectives:
- Learn how community needs and involvement helped to shape the school.
- Learn how CTE curriculum schools require a special mixture of flexible and specific spaces, and how the building can also be a teacher.
- Learn how quality of construction can make or break the future longevity of your building.
- Learn how construction during COVID required maximum flexibility from everyone involved.
Project Team:
Architect of Record: BDS Architects
Structural, Electrical, Mechanical & Geotech Engineer: RESPEC
Civil Engineer: RPKA, Inc.
Contractor: Roger Hickel Contracting, Inc.
Owner District: Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District