Carlin Springs Elementary School
Arlington, VA
Awards:
• Shirley Cooper Award for
Outstanding Educational
Environment, American
Association of School
Administrators + CEFPI + AIA
• Outstanding New School Building
Design, Virginia Department of
Education + VEFP
• Citiation award, National School
Board Association
• Award of Excellence,
Virginia School Board Association
• Award of Excellence,
Virginia Department of Education
• Merit Award, AIA Potomac Valley
Chapter
The new 88,000 s.f. Carlin Springs Elementary School is Arlington’s first new elementary school in over 25 years. It reflects the diversity and international background of its growing community and is designed to accommodate 600 students. The school theme is “Making a World of Difference.” The student body is made up of students from over fifty nations. The school program focuses on citizenship and community as illustrated by the high intensity language training, ESOL, and immersion for its student needs.
The grand stair leading to the Media Center is walled with tiles made by students. Each tile is a three-dimensional handprint, cast and glazed. The hands represent the many cultures and nationalities among the students. Each façade of the building has a focal point map illustrating different hemispheres of the globe, furthering the international connection for all the students.
Main Street accents the global character of the school with flags of over 50 nations; and separates public, noisy functions from instructional, quiet areas. It also provides for display of student work and connects to the Student Gallery and open courtyard. Major spaces along Main Street are the main administration area, cafeteria, gymnasium, student gallery, extended day and parent volunteer area. The media center overlooks main street from the second floor. The cafeteria features a stage that is immediately adjacent to the music suite.
