"As an educator, have you ever had a vision for the perfect learning environment? Have you dreamed of a physical facility that would promote independent learning, facilitate differentiated instruction and help middle school students make the text-to-world connection? Due to the population growth in Spencer County, our staff has had the opportunity to design a school where no students will fall “through the cracks.” Sherman, Carter, Barnhart took this abstract idea and made it concrete. After only one meeting with the staff, it was as if they had taken a picture of our brain. The first blueprints indicated an understanding of the philosophy, purpose, and the culture that promoted the design. The architects not only understood what we said but what we didn’t have the words to say. However, it was during a walkthrough, about three months into the construction of the building, that I knew the design on paper was only a shadow of the depth of their perception of our vision. As I shared with the school board, “This gifted group of architects has not only captured the physical structure of the vision, but the spirit as well."

Dena Kent, Principal, Spencer County Middle School