The College Preparatory School

Tucked within Oakland’s Rockridge neighborhood, The College Preparatory School (CPS) has long demanded a level of innovation to make the most of its wooded grounds while delivering on a pedagogical mission that encompasses environmental stewardship and community. The brief for JENSEN, to replace outdated portable classrooms with a modern, multi-purpose building, ultimately opened up broader opportunities to advance the independent high school’s long-range vision for its campus.

JENSEN’s building nests elegantly into the hillside and, through a unique accessibility solution, completes a connectivity loop that unites the campus. Through the judicious use of windows, the new classrooms and student learning spaces are passively ventilated and naturally lit—healthy environments that enable students, teachers, and administrators to do their best work. Additional sustainability features include photovoltaic panels and the elimination of fossil fuel use.