Henderson, Nevada

South Career and Technical Academy

As the newest of Clark County School District’s specialized magnet schools, South Career and Technical Academy advances the district’s career and technical education goals through a flexible, technology-forward environment that promotes project-based learning and immersive, hands-on exploration.

Designed in collaboration with Simpson Coulter Studio, the school supports nine distinct career pathways—Advanced Manufacturing & Robotics, Civil Engineering, Engineering & Energy, Entertainment & Sports Marketing, Biomedical Science, Cyber Defense, Education & Leadership, Finance & Business, and Sports Medicine—helping students gain practical, industry-relevant experience in high-demand fields.

At the heart of the school, a daylit, two-story student commons anchors the three academic wings and serves as the primary gathering space for the campus. With a warm, desert-inspired material palette, the space accommodates dining, collaboration, informal study, and community events.

The branching academic wings provide a blend of flexible collaboration zones, dedicated focus areas, and open atrium spaces that promote both spontaneous interaction and structured project-based learning. Each wing features a distinct visual identity and material palette tied to the Nevada landscape—Meadows, Springs, and Mountains—creating intuitive wayfinding and connecting learners to the surrounding natural environment. The school’s nine pathways are distributed throughout these wings, allowing each pathway to occupy its own specialized environment while still remaining connected to the broader school community.

Client: Clark County School District
Size: 232,400 Square Feet
Scope:

New Construction
Services:

Architecture

Interior Design
Key Project Contacts:

John Pfluger

Kari-elin Mock

South CTA Exterior Stairs — Exterior stairways incorporate laser-cut metal panels with organic patterns, reinforcing the campus’s nature-driven narrative while enhancing safety and visibility.

South CTA Restrooms — As the first Clark County School District learning environment to fully integrate an inclusive restroom model, South Career and Technical Academy sets a new precedent for student safety, dignity, and accessibility.

Throughout the building, the design emphasizes natural light, wellness, and environmental performance. Classrooms and collaboration spaces prioritize operable windows and expansive outdoor views, while climate-responsive shading devices and extensive rooftop solar arrays enhance user comfort and support the district’s sustainability goals.

A prominent north/south axis organizes the campus, guiding visitors from the main entry to the athletic fields at the site’s southern edge. Two landscaped courtyards are positioned between the east and west building wings, offering shaded, protected outdoor environments for student use. Building massing and window placement face north and south to optimize solar orientation while maintaining the privacy of the adjacent neighborhood.