School District of Philadelphia (SDP) Amy at James Martin

David Mason + Associates (DMA) served as the civil engineer for the new School District of Philadelphia The Alternative Middle Years (AMY), a $62.8 million replacement middle school to serve 500 students in grades 6-8. The new modern facility includes classrooms, science labs, art, life skills, music rooms, innovation & media center, makerspace, small group learning environments, open commons, gymnatorium, cafeteria, full-service kitchen, green roof classroom in a tight urban space.

DMA’s civil engineering scope includes design services for a new four-story, 88,500 SF school, from the schematic design phase through the ongoing construction documents phase. Responsibilities also included site grading and stormwater management for the demolition of the existing school and the proposed new school. Coordination with the architects and other engineering disciplines, and compilation of drawings to ensure all site elements were properly captured for construction. Further responsibilities include permit submission through various agencies within the City of Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

SDP AMY received an Honor Award – Climate Action, with jurors recognizing its student-centered learning neighborhoods, commitment to wellness, and spaces that extend learning beyond the classroom.  KSS Architects designed this K-12 project with flexible, welcoming spaces that emphasize natural light, sustainability, and outdoor connections while supporting evolving educational needs.