
Energy Institute High School is the newest magnet school in the Houston ISD and the first “energy” school in the Nation. Project-based learning (PBL) is utilized in the pathways of the geo sciences, alternative energy, and offshore technology for this 800 student campus. Working with the community based Project Advisory Team, which includes energy sector businesses, VLK and Houston ISD organized a design charrette to establish the goals, priorities, and design. The concept features a campus-like setting, mimicking many of the corporate campuses where energy students visit and intern during their high school education. An outdoor courtyard is the center of the campus with a shaded tiered collaboration area and outdoor instructional spaces. The design supports a technology rich campus that is part of the PowerUp 1:1 initiative and all instructional spaces are equipped with smart interactive monitors.
"Energy Institute is marketed as the first school of its kind in the nation. As the principal who was charged with building the school from the ground up, I wanted to deliver an innovative building to Houston unlike any other school project. VLK was a perfect match for this endeavor. VLK didn’t work for us, they partnered with us. Their attention to detail, their knowledge, expertise and talent emerged into a heart and soul project that they cared about as much as we did! We are confident that our unique STEM school is going to provide our Energy students with a state of the art STEM education like no other!"
Lori Lambropoulos Principal, Energy Institute High School