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John Francis Education Campus, a DC Public School, serves 680 students from Pre-K through 8th grade within nearly 140,000 square feet of learning space. The campus includes academic areas, a full auditorium, a high school-sized gymnasium, a two-story library, and a central dining commons. 

The project honors the original 1920s and 1950s architecture while introducing modernized spaces that align with Francis’s educational and cultural goals. Designed as a model for sustainable, high-performance architecture, the campus blends seamlessly with its historic structure, creating a 21st-century environment that inspires students to become environmental stewards. By connecting students with the local community and environment, Francis embodies innovative education and sustainable design at the heart of Washington, DC.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify sustainable design elements utilized in school modernizations that have positive impacts on students' cognitive development.
• Discuss the challenges to introducing 21st century educational spaces into historic, 1920's era school buildings.
• Identify the different uses that urban school sites need to accommodate, and how each of these uses compete for what is often limited space.
• Explore the rich, diversity of spaces supporting contemporary elementary schools in historic settings.

Presented by:

Mary Rankin, AIA, LEED AP, WELL AP, Principal & Managing Director, Perkins Eastman DC
Kristina Vidal, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Senior Associate, Project Architect, Perkins Eastman DC