Two new additions to NorthStar Foundation's existing Academic Development Center in Omaha, Nebraska, enable the non-profit to serve 850 at-risk young men annually in grades 4-12.

The learning stairs at the building's front are central to the design; students can gather informally to socialize and formally to attend group presentations. The addition adds nine new, oversized classrooms with flexible furniture and a loft mezzanine overlooking the dining space. A new glass corridor leads to numerous common areas and amenity spaces throughout the facility, including a workroom, board room, mindfulness room, innovation hub, activity room, gallery, and study rooms.

The new facility is a source of pride for the community. It serves as a model for similar typologies across the nation that aim to position students for success by providing opportunities to explore arts, athletics, academics, and social programs in an enriching environment.