Ready for Growth in Wentzville, Mo.

The Wentzville R-IV School District hosts just 283 freshmen in the newest high school this year, but it will be filled with students in the near future, as the fastest-growing district in Missouri continues to see booming enrollment. Liberty High School is the third high school in the district, which has been adding 500 students annually. The school ultimately will host up to 1,200 students.

The $40.3 million, 227,000-square-foot school features 54 classrooms and a 16,000-square-foot gym. Clad in brick and accented with “Liberty Eagle” cast-stone medallions, the main entry opens into a lobby and security vestibule. The school is infused with technology, including a fiber-optic backbone for both wired and wireless Internet.

A central core connects three academic wings that feature science labs; a specialty class for STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and math); family and consumer science room; library; cafeteria and full- service kitchen; computer labs; art rooms; industrial arts; band and chorus rooms; media center; special-education spaces; and administrative space.

The athletic wing features the gymnasium, a weightroom, wrestling room, cardiovascular training room, and boys’ and girls’ locker rooms. The school is designed to be expandable to accommodate more classrooms, a theater and a second gymnasium.

Situated on an 80-acre site, master planning for the new high school was challenged by a small creek that meandered through the property.  Vehicular and pedestrian bridges were installed to cost efficiently comply with U.S. Army Corp of Engineers watershed regulations, and unite the school with outdoor athletic facilities including a track and football field, a soccer field, baseball and softball fields, and practice fields.  The athletic facilities also feature concession stands, tennis courts and parking.

The high school was designed by Hoener Associates, Inc. (St. Louis). Brinkmann Constructors (Chesterfield, Mo.) was builder.