Wall Raising & Field Dedication Mark Major Milestones in Pacific Ridge School’s Expansion Into an Energy-Efficient Campus

Carlsbad, CA, January 09, 2010 --(PR.com)-- Since the groundbreaking in October 2009, Pacific Ridge School in Carlsbad, a 7th – 12th grade independent, non-profit school, has been buzzing with construction activity as it builds one of the few campuses across the country designed to achieve LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for Schools Gold certification. Over the last week, Pacific Ridge School hit two major milestones in the development of its $20 million campus expansion: a wall raising and a field dedication.

On December 28, 2009, Swinerton Builders and the Downey Group raised the walls of Pacific Ridge School’s new energy-efficient high school building, a 32,500 square foot building that will accommodate up to 360 students. School staff and a handful of trustees and parents witnessed the spectacle of the huge walls tilting into their permanent places. Designed to utilize passive ventilation and effective energy-efficient day lighting, the high school building’s overall energy performance is projected to be approximately 40% less than that of a similar building designed to California Energy Code.

A week following the Wall Raising milestone, on January 5, 2010, more than 400 students, faculty, staff, parents and community members gathered to celebrate the first kick-off on the school’s new synthetic turf athletic field. Dr. Eileen Mullady, head of school, offered opening words of celebration and vision for the future of this growing campus. The Pacific Ridge School flag was raised and the jazz ensemble performed the “Star Spangled Banner.” Students were invited to kick soccer balls and throw lacrosse balls in their first ceremonial activity on the field.

Seeking LEED certification parallels the values of Pacific Ridge School and its students, who aim to be conscientious local community members and responsible global citizens. Some of the design features that Pacific Ridge School’s new building will include to meet LEED standards are: onsite solar power, recycled construction materials, natural lighting for 90% of classroom space, passive ventilation for nearly 50% of classroom space, and a reduction of landscape irrigation by 50%. For more information about Pacific Ridge School in Carlsbad, visit http://www.pacificridge.org.

About Pacific Ridge School
Opened in the fall of 2007, Pacific Ridge School is a non‐profit, independent middle and high school located in the North County, San Diego. With the distinctive mission of building a community that fosters academic excellence, ethical responsibility and global engagement, Pacific Ridge offers a first-rate educational experience to prepare students for college and a purposeful life. For more information, visit www.pacificridge.org. Pacific Ridge School does not discriminate on the basis of religion, gender, sexual orientation, race, creed, or national origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, and other administered programs.

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