Completed in 2004, The Claremont Academy represents a new trend in public school design: increasingly dynamic, modern and sustainable.  A vegetative roof and photo voltaic panels (to produce a portion of the school’s electricity) are some of the green aspects of the school, while the dramatic, sweeping, upturned roof of the entrance shows the excitement and energy wished to be instilled in the students.

McKay Landscape Architects incorporated a circular stone apron into the walkway at the entrance, inscribed with inspirational key words, creating a powerful metaphor of the students entering the “circle” of those privileged enough to be receiving an education.  Claremont Elementary was so excited about this idea that they held a competition among the students to choose what words would be included.  In a neighborhood where school attendance has been a problem, it was vital to cultivate as much excitement as possible in the student body.  A colorful array of flowering shrubs, trees and ornamental grasses planted around the campus aimed to be low maintenance yet stimulating to students and faculty alike.