Broken Arrow Public Schools

“I went to Broken Arrow Freshman Academy and I absolutely love what you guys did to the building. It’s so beautiful and the design makes a big impact and great memories for students.”

- Corey Edwards, Former Broken Arrow Freshman Academy Student

BA Freshman Academy

Broken Arrow Public Schools

Designing the Transition to High School

The freshman year of high school is a pivotal transition, shaping students’ confidence, independence, and sense of belonging. When Broken Arrow Public Schools expanded the Freshman Academy, the goal extended beyond adding classrooms. The district wanted to create a more welcoming, connected environment that better supports students as they begin high school.

Building on Narrate’s previous Fine Arts addition, the renovation and expansion established a new public identity for the campus while improving circulation, functionality, and the overall student experience. The 50,000-square-foot project includes a new media center, administrative offices, classrooms, student support spaces, teachers’ lounge, and a vibrant Student Union Hall that has become the social heart of the school.

Creating Connection Through Design

One of the project’s most significant design moves was transforming the school’s arrival sequence. A once narrow, congested entrance became an open, light-filled Student Union Hall that connects the main entry to the existing cafeteria, creating a flexible gathering space where students can study, socialize, and connect throughout the day. A central feature stair strengthens circulation between levels while encouraging interaction and visibility across the space.

The new addition also unifies the campus architecturally. Drawing from the materials and vocabulary established in the earlier Fine Arts addition, the expansion creates a cohesive exterior that feels intentional rather than incremental. By balancing functionality, budget, and long-term flexibility, the project provides Broken Arrow students with an environment designed to support both learning and community.

Project Highlights

50,000 SF Expansion & Renovation
Exterior Main Entry Renovation
Student Union Hall
Media Center
Administrative Offices
Student Support Spaces
Classrooms
Teacher Lounge
Grand Feature Staircase

FAQ: Broken Arrow Public Schools Freshman Academy

Q: What was the goal of the Freshman Academy expansion?
A: The project was designed to create a more welcoming, connected learning environment for ninth-grade students while expanding the school’s capacity and improving the functionality of key academic and student spaces.

Q: What spaces were included in the renovation?
A: The 50,000-square-foot project includes a media center, administrative offices, classrooms, student support spaces, teachers’ lounge, and the new Student Union Hall, which serves as the social hub of the school.

Q: What is the Student Union Hall?
A: The Student Union Hall is the central gathering space within the Freshman Academy. By connecting the main entrance to the existing cafeteria, it provides students with a flexible space for studying, meeting, dining, and socializing throughout the school day.

Q: How does the design improve the student experience?
A: The renovation improves circulation, creates welcoming gathering spaces, strengthens connections between key areas of the school, and provides students with an environment that supports both academic success and everyday interaction.

Q: How does the expansion relate to the original Fine Arts addition?
A: The project builds on Narrate’s earlier Fine Arts addition by extending its architectural vocabulary and materials, creating a cohesive campus identity that unifies the building’s multiple phases of construction.