RA McMath Site Visit

Members of the Steering Committee visited R.A. McMath High School in Richmond on Tuesday, October 20th. The exterior and interior main hallways were brick and wood and were in new condition. The Principal highly recommended these materials for longevity and durability. The school is about 10 years old and the walls were in new condition. Metal security screens were on the main entrance doors which would be comparable to the screens at the KIPP Center, although the principal was not fond of this addition admits it has improved security. It was necessary to install exterior mechanical blinds for all ground floor classrooms as well. The building allows for a great deal of natural lighting and the Rotunda is a social hub and is complete with a small stage area that opens to both the exterior and interior of the building. The stage area is small and acoustics are not very good in the Rotunda. The Principal would have liked a large theatre to seat between 100 and 250 and stressed the importance of a theatre. The main floor is considered the business area, counseling, Learning Assistance, special needs programs are located on this floor. Regular classrooms are up stairs.

At the main entrance you find the office which is adjacent to the Library. The office desks are in layers all facing the main reception desks. Principals, Vice Principals offices are down the hall.
The library has large windows along the main entrance of the building for display area. Cafeteria is located in the Rotunda and is open at break and lunch. Classrooms were designed wider rather than longer as at G.W. Graham, research states students are more engaged in closure proximity to instructor. All classes have large interior windows which allows natural lighting from the high ceiling Rotunda, however does present a security concern. Most classrooms had blinds installed, but the cost was substantial and these purchases were made over time. Classroom doors had circular windows like portholes the overall design theme was nautical.

McMath has a current student population of 1275, the school was designed for 1300 students and has accommodated as many as 1500 students. The school has WiFi through out, several classrooms had projectors installed but this was technology that was introduced after construction. They continue to upgrade annually. ½ lockers are throughout the school extra gather centers have been installed in the centre of the hall in each wing with extra banks of lockers. 1300 lockers are installed.

McMaths technology programs are housed in one large area they offer a plumbing apprenticeship program, wood work, metal work. Administrator felt it was too busy in this area. Technology had additional instructional space but the program at McMath did not expand as anticipated, as a result the art depart expanded and made use of this area. Computer labs are mac labs, several students bring there own lap tops and can log in anywhere in the building.

Grant and Sinclair were the Architects. Sliding walls were installed between a couple classes to allow for larger group instruction. 30% of the school is French Immersion they also offer Japanese and ESL. The science area has a super lab with instructional classroom smaller and one large common lab area that is able to accommodate 4 classes in the same block. The Drama music area is very small, limited space for instruments and props.

This school has a Geo-thermal design and offers a cooling system rather than air conditioning. Although they experienced problems with the design the administrator felt it was the fault of the contractors not the architects. Lights were turned out in all unoccupied classrooms. Lights bulbs have all been upgraded to natural lighting. Group school staff pictures line the walls of the staff room.

The design is similar to H.J. Cambie with improvement made to colour tone and the use of more sustainable materials such as brick/concrete and wood rather than drywall.

Student response was very positive, they were proud of their school.

To see more pictures of R.A. McMath, click here