Deltona Middle School

CTH+A provided master planning and building design services for the Deltona Middle School Replacement project on a 31.7-acre occupied campus. The project included assessment and Castaldi analysis of the 56-year-old school, program verification, new facilities list, and development of a campus master plan. The planning and design process was an inclusive and collaborative experience punctuated by a series of workshops that included students, parents, staff, district personnel, and community stakeholders. Visioning was followed by design sessions that generated lively discussion on 21st century learning and numerous plan alternatives. The final design houses 1,514 student stations with all new core facilities, internal academic commons, and 3-story classroom building with collaborative spaces on each level.

The concept for this middle school hinges on the building’s central commons. This two-story multi-functional spine links the core spaces with the classrooms and labs. At the south end is the entrance to the school while at the north end is a covered dining area accessible from both the commons and cafetorium. In addition to a learning stair, the commons is large enough to accommodate a variety of activities either programed or spontaneous with areas on both levels designed for collaboration, group study, or independent work. For larger events the cafeteria’s glass partitions can be retracted to connect both spaces. Classrooms and science labs are housed in a 3-story classroom wing organized by grade level.

At DMS, students focus their studies through their participation in the unique academies offered by the school: Community Involvement, International Studies, Health & Sports, and Performing Arts, STEM, Culinary & Tourism, and Agri-Sci which required dedicated lab spaces including a new livestock barn and fields.

The cafetorium was sized to accommodate the needs of their large performing arts program with an appropriately sized stage, control booth, and spotlight station above. Side stage areas have oversized doors to allow scenery to be rotated in and out from the rear hallway which links the stage with the music spaces and loading dock.