Stonegate Elementary School
- Type: New Replacement School
- Size/Area: 84,094 SF
- Owner: Montgomery County Public Schools
- Location: 14811 Notley Road, Silver Spring,MD 20905
SEI designed the replacement for Stonegate Elementary School in Silver Spring, Maryland as a forward thinking response to the evolving needs of next generation learners and the surrounding natural environment. The 94,215 SF, three story school is carefully integrated into a challenging site featuring a 40 foot grade change, stream valley buffers, and areas of dense forestation. Respectful of its residential context, the building presents a narrow one story façade at the front, gradually extending into a three story academic wing at the rear to make efficient use of the site without overpowering the neighborhood. Thoughtfully designed outdoor spaces including play areas, a basketball court, an art plaza, and a dedicated outdoor classroom promote engagement with nature and peers despite limited site area.
Safety and supervision are embedded into the school’s layout, with clearly defined public and private zones and a straightforward cross corridor circulation system that allows staff to maintain visibility across key areas. The butterfly roof not only adds architectural interest but also introduces generous daylight into the building, supporting student wellness and focus throughout the day. Inside, the design creates a vibrant, student centered learning environment. Inspired by the school’s “Stonegate Shark” mascot, whimsical floor patterns guide students through the building, while a calming palette of blues, greens, yellows, and warm wood tones draws from the surrounding natural landscape. Glass enclosed learning spaces evoke the feel of an aquarium, offering transparency, connectivity, and the ability to observe students in their “natural habitat” as they learn and grow.
The result is a school that balances form, function, and fun—where nature, safety, and community come together to support academic success and emotional well being. Stonegate Elementary stands not only as a place of learning, but as a lasting anchor for the surrounding community.
Project Awards
- 2024 Design Excellence Award in the Education Category from Mid-Atlantic Masonry Association
photography by Judy Davis, Architectural Photographer
