Albuquerque Public Schools - Sandia High School

SITES worked with Albuquerque Public Schools to transform the Sandia High School campus into a living laboratory where learning extends beyond the classroom. The design focused on creating outdoor environments that connect science education with the land, reflecting APS’s commitment to hands-on, sustainable learning spaces.

At the heart of the project is a large, constructed wetland, developed in close collaboration with the school’s biology faculty to serve as a year-round teaching tool. The wetland and its surrounding landscape recall the ecologies of the nearby Rio Grande, featuring three distinct aquatic zones and native plant communities that demonstrate how water, soil, and vegetation interact. The system integrates a cistern-fed irrigation network, reused concrete materials, and accessible walkways that double as outdoor learning paths.

Beyond the wetland, the campus improvements include a new sports field, a landscaped mall linking the Science Academy and Library to the rest of the campus, and shaded gathering areas that encourage social interaction and exploration. Together, these spaces frame striking views of the Sandia Mountains and create a cohesive, sustainable campus landscape where students can study, observe, and engage directly with the natural systems that shape their community.