Comp Sci High

Civic Builders

A New Space Sets the Stage for Career-Oriented Curriculum and Bright Futures

Comp Sci High

Civic Builders

Bronx, NY

47,222 SF

The Opportunity

The vision of Comp Sci High has always been to combine the fundamental components of a typical charter school with a career-oriented curriculum, giving students the tools they need to support not only themselves but their families and their community. Located in the South Bronx, the school seeks to provide its students with learning opportunities they would not otherwise have, including resume preparation, mock interviews, and real-world projects. Comp Sci High outgrew its space quickly. As a result, the school had to split students between two separate sites, leaving students and staff feeling isolated. After an extensive search, KSS Architects was engaged to design a unified, future-ready campus that supports Comp Sci High’s holistic mission—developing emotional, academic, professional, technical, and civic competencies in a single, purpose-built environment.

Our Approach

The new facility reunites the Comp Sci High community under one roof, strengthening its role as both a neighborhood anchor and a model for urban education. The school connects students to a rich network of nearby resources, including public parks, transit, and educational institutions, while reinforcing its presence as a civic and cultural hub. A vertically stacked design is organized around a central flex space, the heart of the building that connects each floor both visually and socially. This multi-functional hub encourages spontaneous collaboration, project-based learning, and community gatherings, turning circulation into engagement and movement into opportunity.

The floor plan benefits us tremendously because it's custom-made for us. Not only do we have more space, but we finally have the ability to be in control of our space. We have always envisioned ourselves as a community school and this will allow us to reach even more of the community. This is a real game-changer for us.

Angel Morales, Chair of the Board, Comp Sci High

Classrooms and specialized learning areas radiate from this central core, designed with flexibility in mind. Operable walls and open zones allow spaces to expand or contract as needed. Co-working areas, lounges, and a rooftop gathering space extend learning beyond the classroom, supporting both student agency and community use.

Large façade “view frames” activate the building’s edge along the street, showcasing the energy of student innovation while bringing daylight deep into the interior. This transparency connects learning with the public realm, symbolizing accessibility and pride in the school’s mission.

Rooted in a collaborative design process that included charrettes with educators and staff, the architecture reflects Comp Sci High’s teaching methods—dynamic, inclusive, and future-focused. The result is an experience-driven high school that unites architecture and learning, transforming limited urban space into an adaptable environment for growth and community impact.

Program

New school building, classroom space, work share areas, academic support, half classrooms, assembly space, gymnasium, cafeteria, co-working space, flex space