Davis-Edwards-Harris Educational Complex
Designed as a transformational educational destination for the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System, this new campus brings Mercer Middle School, Groves High School, and a Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) program together within a cohesive learning environment that serves more than 2,400 students.
DISTRICT Savannah Chatham County Public Schools
CAPACITY 2,400 Students
LOCATION Garden City, GA
COMPLETED 2023
SIZE 435,000 SF
PHOTOGRAPHER Susan Holt
AWARDS AIA Savannah
A Unified Site
Site planning carefully responds to the constraints of the 43-acre property while creating clear distinctions between middle and high school learning environments. A thoughtful organizational strategy separates grade levels while maintaining a strong sense of campus cohesion through shared amenities, connected circulation, and a consistent architectural language. Student movement, vehicular circulation, and operational functions are organized to create intuitive wayfinding, enhance safety, and support the daily rhythms of a large and active educational community.
Design Details
The design balances scale, flexibility, and identity. Originally envisioned as a K–12 campus that included an elementary school, the educational complex was strategically planned with adaptability in mind. As enrollment needs evolved, the building seamlessly transitioned to support a 6th–12th grade program, demonstrating the resilience of a design framework capable of accommodating changing educational priorities without compromising functionality or experience.
A defining feature of the campus is the dedicated CTAE building, which supports hands-on, career-focused learning through highly specialized instructional spaces. Designed to accommodate aircraft maintenance, logistics, and other workforce development programs, the facility integrates classrooms, labs, and equipment-intensive environments that prepare students for high-demand regional industries. By aligning educational opportunities with workforce needs, the design creates meaningful pathways from classroom to career.
