The World Languages building was designed by Ratcliff Architects specifically for the teaching of foreign languages and related cultures with appropriate-sized classrooms, soundproofing, wireless connections, LED projectors, and SMART Boards.

This Phase 1 project created classrooms that complement the teaching methods of each foreign language teacher and allow our language faculty to teach in rooms appointed for their language. Increased square footage in each classroom allows students to participate more freely in activities such as role-playing, group dialogues, singing and dancing. The World Languages building also includes a spacious shared office for faculty to prepare for classes and meet with students.

World Languages building concept and vista of facilities master plan

The new English Classroom building will allow all English classes to meet in suitably designed and equipped rooms, and will also serve as the academic entryway to the school.

Ideally all College Prep English classes would employ the Harkness-table method of teaching. These large oval tables seat sixteen students and their teacher. At the Harkness table, students learn through dialogue and easy visual contact. The teacher sits with the students and guides them through open, active and engaged discussion. The Harkness table method encourages students to collaborate with one another both inside and outside of class.  Further, students develop a greater respect for one another’s ideas, and the classroom becomes a liberating place to learn. Only three classrooms scattered throughout the College Prep campus are currently suitable for Harkness tables, substantially limiting the number of sections that can employ this highly successful teaching method so desired by our English teachers.

The new Performing Arts Educational Center will sustain and inspire the excellent tradition of theater, dance and music programs at College Prep.

This dedicated teaching and performing space will have a raked seating capacity of 325 and an assembly capacity of 500, allowing sufficient space for the entire College Prep community and invited parents or other guests to gather. This dedicated teaching and performing space will sustain the excellent tradition of theater, dance and music programs at College Prep.

The new facility will allow the current Buttner Auditorium to be more effectively and non-competitively used for faculty and Parents’ Association meetings, the Parents’ Association LiveTalk speaker series, the summer Partners Program, art and photography shows, and other gatherings of College Prep groups. Furthermore, the new facility will enable College Prep to invite the school’s neighbors to the campus for special programs and performances.

Performing Arts theater concept and arts quad

Establishing a Welcoming Presence  

The safe arrival and departure of College Prep students is a priority concern for the administration and Board. Phases 1 and 2 will include some much needed renovations to the College Prep entry and parking lot. Improvements will also include elements to create a more welcoming entrance to the College Prep campus.

This project will include an attractive gateway on Broadway and a well-defined, highly visible pedestrian pathway through the parking lot and into the pedestrian-only area of the campus. Further, trees and other architectural elements will improve the visual appeal of College Prep as one enters the campus.

After a multi-year, exhaustive search of all realistic options to address College Prep's ongoing need for men's and women's athletic fields, we have identified and negotiated an opportunity that will address College Prep's needs for the next quarter century. 

The new Tom Bates Fields are located on 15 acres of land owned by the East Bay Regional Park District at the junction of Gilman Street and Interstate 80, adjacent to Golden Gate Fields. College Prep has negotiated an agreement that will guarantee access to this regulation size and up-to-date field for our athletes and enable coaches and students to focus on building athletic skills at a consistent venue. Click here to read FAQs about the Bates Field.

• The replacement of the foreign language building (N Building) with a new building featuring state-of-the-art, appropriately-sized, sound-insulated classrooms to be used for world language classes.
• The construction of a new English classroom building with five classrooms and a department office.
• The construction of a new performing arts facility next to Buttner Auditorium. This new building will also finally allow the entire College Prep community of faculty and students to gather together in an indoor space.
• Reliable access to regulation size and up-to-date playing fields, filling a long-term void in our athletic program.
  
• An inviting entrance and safe pathway into the school to welcome everyone to the community through transformation of the existing parking lot.