The City of Portsmouth’s acquisition of Community Campus provided a new home for the school and the opportunity to transition from an outdated facility into purposefully renovated and updated spaces.

RJLA is an innovative public high school program designed for students who have been unable to succeed in more traditional settings. The school provides an education tailored to each student’s individual academic, social, behavioral, and therapeutic needs, preparing them for vocational and post-secondary goals through unique programs and partnerships.

Working with JSA Design, the design and construction process itself became one of those learning opportunities. Students were invited to actively participate in the project, contributing valuable input while gaining firsthand insight into careers in architecture, design, and construction. They shadowed the architects, participated in monthly construction tours, and engaged directly with professionals involved in bringing their new school to life.

The collaboration extended learning beyond the classroom while giving students a meaningful role in shaping the environment created for them—resulting in a new home for RJLA informed by both its educational mission and the voices of the students it serves.