Arlington Public Schools

UTILIZATION AND OCCUPANCY ANALYSIS

Maintaining educational quality and meeting capacity for a growing student population

Arlington Public Schools (APS) is a diverse and dynamic school division across the Potomac River from Washington, DC. As one of Virginia’s 132 school divisions, APS operates the 13th largest (in terms of student population) but is physically among the smallest. Over the past decade, APS has experienced substantial student population growth, requiring construction of three new high schools and using all of the districtʻs developable land. In anticipation of future growth, MKThink conducted a quantitative analysis of all the high schools and middle schools to assess scope and utilization and identify opportunities to grow capacity without building new campuses. Informed by facilities and programming data, MKThink developed strategies to address future growth and support decision-making regarding utilization improvements and alterations to the district’s real estate portfolio.

BACK TO ALL PROJECTS

BREAKDOWN:

DATE: 2013 - 2016

CITY: Arlington

STATE: Virginia

SIZE/SCALE: 1,000,000 SF

MARKET: K-12

SERVICES: Inventory, Utilization, and Occupancy Analysis.

PROJECT:

CHALLENGE: APS needed to create a better, faster, green and less expensive alternative to quick low performance modular trailers to accommodate 151% anticipated increase in enrollment growth over 10 years.

APPROACH: MKThink conducted a quantitative analysis of all the high schools and middle schools to assess scope and utilization and identify opportunities to grow capacity without building new campuses. Informed by facilities and programming data, MKThink developed strategies to address future growth and support decision-making regarding utilization improvements and alterations to the district’s real estate portfolio.

RESULT: Rightsizing project reduced classroom size and increased classroom count by 18%. Adjusting schedules to increased room utilization from 58% to 85%.