The project: Ballantyne Ridge High School, formerly known as Ardrey Kell Relief High School, is a newly constructed 300,000-sf, four-story facility located in Charlotte, NC. The school was developed to alleviate severe overcrowding at three nearby high schools, including one that reached capacity less than two years after opening.

The goal: The primary objective of the project was to provide a high-capacity, modern educational facility within an accelerated timeline to meet the urgent enrollment needs of a growing community. The school was designed and constructed on a fast-track schedule to be completed in time for the 2024-2025 academic year.

The design: The main school building features a hybrid structural system consisting of structural steel framing and load-bearing masonry walls. The campus includes 100 classrooms, a state-of-the-art auditorium, full-size gymnasium, dining facilities, and various student support spaces. Athletic amenities include dedicated support buildings, multiple sports fields, and site retaining walls to accommodate the topography.

The outcome: Completed in just 24 months, Ballantyne Ridge High School welcomed its first students in August 2024. The project delivers a comprehensive academic and extracurricular environment designed to support long-term growth in the region.

*photo copyright to Ratio Architects