International High School of New Orleans

The Small Center project team worked with IHSNO leadership, teachers, and students to craft a vision for renovating and adding onto the high school’s historic structure. 

Project Dates

August 2018–March 2019

Context

The International High School is the only school located in Downtown New Orleans. Its historic building requires comprehensive renovations that are sensitive to the modern needs of a high school and its diverse student body, including ADA accessibility, and new ways to accommodate growth and dynamic teaching within multipurpose spaces.

Small Center Engagement

In collaboration with IHSNO leadership, staff, teachers, and students, the Small Center project team worked to create a re-programming and renovation plan for the high school’s historic structure. The project spanned the Fall 2018 semester, with preparatory work completed in Summer 2018: faculty, students, and Small Center staff conducted research on the building, past uses, preservation and programmatic needs, and provided schematic renovation plans within a comprehensive document that will aid IHSNO in fundraising to complete the project.

The proposed design maintains the primary functionality of the school’s traditional classroom spaces while adding dynamic new features including a covered courtyard cafeteria, student gallery, study commons, and a host of exterior improvements such as recreational courts and outdoor event areas. The addition of a black-box theater, dance studio, consolidation of student services such as counseling and career prep, new kitchen facilities, and more, will help bring the facility in line with the aspirations of a dynamic student body and teaching staff, bolstering the international, forward-looking stance of IHSNO far into the 21st century.

Partner Organization

The International High School of New Orleans (IHSNO) is a public, college preparatory charter school located in the Central Business District open to all Louisiana residents. IHSNO is the only high school in New Orleans offering students the opportunity to participate in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, recognized and respected by the world’s leading universities for its ability to encourage students to think broadly, beyond the boundaries of their communities, and to develop the intellectual, personal, emotional and social skills needed to live, learn and work in a global economy.

Outcome

The project team presented completed designs to the IHSNO board in Spring 2019. The associated design document will be used in combination with additional presentations to stakeholders including the Orleans Parish School Board and Downtown Development District to aid IHSNO in finding a path forward towards a renovated historic facility with modern amenities suited to the needs of a contemporary high school.

To learn more about the project, please see the comprehensive design document here.

Collaborators