Montgomery County Public Schools
Germantown, Maryland

The new Seneca Valley High School was constructed only 20 feet from the nearly 50-year-old school it replaced. Through careful coordination with the contractor, the original school continued to operate throughout construction. Once the new building reached substantial completion, the existing building was demolished and converted to parking and athletic fields.

The school is divided into two zones. A four-story academic wing houses most of the academic classrooms, as well as the administration and guidance suites. An after-hours zone houses a 900-seat auditorium, dining area, and gymnasiums/athletics spaces. The two zones are separated by a hallway that serves as an after-hours entrance and showcases many of the unique features of the building, including technology labs, a TV studio, a media center, a dining commons, and a community-based wellness center.

The southern end of the county had a career and technology education (CTE) facility, while the northern end lacked these spaces. To take advantage of the new construction, MCPS expanded the scope to include a new CTE wing at Seneca Valley High School. The school also incorporates many sustainable features and is certified LEED Silver, with a significant portion of the roof as a vegetated roof system.

Awards + Recognition

• Architectural and Interior Design Awards of Excellence, Outstanding Project Award, Learning by Design, 2022
• Excellence in Construction Award, Educational – Public and Private Schools, Honorable Mention, Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Metro Washington and Virginia, 2022