Ralph J. Bunche-Washington School

Designed to promote connection, curiosity, and academic growth, Bunche-Washington School is a student-centered campus for up to 1,000 Pre-K through 8th-grade learners. The school brings together learning spaces, community areas, and modern educational tools in a cohesive, future-ready environment. Every element of the campus supports a welcoming place where students can learn, explore, and thrive. 

At the core of the design is a contemporary “pod” concept arranged in a spoke-and-wheel layout. Each learning community includes clusters of four or more classrooms that open directly into a shared common area—forming collaborative hubs that strengthen grade-level identity and encourage interaction. Wide overhead doors connect classrooms to these common spaces, allowing learning to extend beyond traditional boundaries. This flexible configuration supports team teaching, project-based learning, and small-group instruction, while dedicated breakout rooms within each pod provide quiet, focused environments for individualized support. 

Surrounding the pod communities, specialized science and STEM labs offer hands-on learning opportunities just steps away from the classroom. Glass walls showcase activity within these spaces, highlighting innovation as a visible and integral part of the daily experience. Throughout the campus, safety and security remain central to the design, with circulation paths, pod organization, and sightlines carefully planned to support visibility, protection, and efficient movement during emergencies.