Cypress-Fairbanks ISD – Roy J. Sprague Middle School

DBR worked with Arcadis IBI Group to design Cypress-Fairbanks ISD’s Middle School #20. Sprague Middle School was the third and final school to complete the Bridgeland Educational Village site and was designed to serve approximately 1,350 students to accommodate the area’s rapid growth.

DBR provided mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering and technology consulting services for the 280,000-square-foot, three-story middle school for the district. This school was the second phase on the Bridgeland site. The first phase consisted of Bridgeland High School and Wells Elementary School. The middle school was connected to the existing elementary school through the cafeteria. A large, motorized partition between the elementary and middle schools allowed flexibility to open the cafeterias into one large space for after-hour events or to keep them separated for day-to-day use.

Sprague Middle School was designed in accordance with TX-CHPS criteria. The project incorporated sustainable design features to enhance learning outcomes for students. Natural daylight was provided in classrooms with smart lighting controls, and energy-conserving mechanical systems were used to reduce operating costs while promoting health and productivity. Other design features included educational displays and demonstration areas to teach about high-performance buildings, reduced stormwater runoff, reduction of potable water usage, and the use of low-emitting, rapidly renewable materials. Additionally, the shared use of a common central plant and service yard with the elementary school allowed for operational cost-efficiency.

The central plant was originally constructed along with the elementary school in the first phase. During the second phase, the plant was expanded to provide additional heating and cooling capacity for the middle school. A new electrical service was provided, including a new utility transformer, main switchboard, and 450 kW generator for backup power. The fire pump installed in the elementary school was designed to serve both buildings.

Collaborative flex spaces of various sizes were located throughout the academic portion of the facility, and the library was centrally located within the school, serving as the “hinge” of the academic wings. The middle school included gyms, science classrooms, art rooms, a cooking lab, band halls, career technology education spaces, large group instructional classrooms, a track and field area, a soccer field, and an illuminated middle school/junior varsity football stadium.

The school was built by S&P Construction and opened in August 2023.