Liberty High School

Golden Valley Unified School District

Aerial view of a modern LEAF electric vehicle charging station with solar panels, parking lot, and surrounding farmland.

K-12 EDUCATION

Liberty High School LEAF Academy

Project Overview

Nestled in the heart of California’s agricultural breadbasket, Liberty High School’s new LEAF Academy in Madera represents the culmination of more than a decade of planning, collaboration, and advocacy. With Madera County producing over $2 billion in agricultural commodities annually, Golden Valley Unified School District envisioned a facility that would both preserve the region’s proud agricultural legacy and prepare students for the future of farming through innovative Career Technical Education (CTE) pathways. Supported by the Madera Agriculture Committee, local ranchers, and farmers, this ambitious project reflects a shared commitment to education, community, and agricultural innovation.

Location
Madera, California

Services Provided
Full Architectural ServiceS

Principal in charge
Scott Griffith, AIA

Size
35,000 sf

Industrial manufacturing or laboratory room with large machinery, ductwork, and ventilation systems on the ceiling. Features include a wide piece of machinery labeled 'Baileigh' and other equipment, with workstations and chairs along the walls.

Community Inspired

From the earliest planning stages, the LEAF Academy was designed to align with the needs and aspirations of the local community. Through an inclusive planning process, programs in Automotive, Welding and Metal Shop, Woodshop, Ornamental Horticulture, Farming Technology, and Animal Sciences were prioritized for the first phase of development.

Future expansion opportunities include Culinary Arts, Butchering, Water Treatment, and Advanced Farming Techniques. With design team support, GVUSD secured nearly $9 million in CTE funding - the highest scores awarded to rural school districts statewide - ensuring the vision could be realized.

Interior of a modern classroom or lab with black tables, green stools, wooden cabinets, and a stainless steel sink. Large windows and a clear garage-style door reveal a bright outdoor views.

Flexible Innovation

The facility itself blends durability with innovation, featuring indoor classrooms and labs that seamlessly connect to outdoor workspaces through roll-up doors and shared areas. This design supports both practical learning and public engagement, with spaces for farmers markets, show pavilions, and student showcases.

Inside, flexible labs and a central hallway foster cross-program collaboration and exploration of future-focused agricultural practices such as hydroponics, drone farming, and vertical farming.

The Academy is also supported by partnerships with local businesses, universities, and farming associations, creating endless opportunities for students and the broader community.In addition to sustainable building systems and water-wise landscaping, the Center provides parent education programs and family support services, empowering generations to come.

Modern hallway with colorful murals and signage for 'Prototyping' and 'Mechanical' on walls, featuring polished concrete floors and large glass windows along the right side.

Empty industrial workspace with machinery, tables, and chairs.

A spacious industrial workshop with yellow and white machinery, including drills and saws, arranged along the walls. The ceiling has exposed ductwork, pipes, and lifting equipment. The floor is polished concrete, and the walls are partially covered w

Interior hallway of a school or educational facility with signs indicating 'Animal Science' and 'Mechanics'. A large wall mural of a dog's face is painted in black and gray. There is a green doorway labeled as a restroom with accessibility signage ne

Aerial view of a fenced animal shelter with multiple covered pens and a large barn, situated in a dry, open landscape.

Group of six men standing together at an award ceremony, one holding a framed certificate, smiling for the camera, in a conference room with other attendees in the background.

Award Winning Design and Collaboration

Golden Valley Unified School District, in partnership with SGH Architects, was honored with the Award of Merit in the New Built category of the 2023 CASH/AIA Leroy F. Green Design & Planning Awards.

This recognition celebrates not only the project’s innovative design solutions but also its ability to create a dynamic learning environment that enriches student experiences and strengthens community connections.

Modern building with green accents and large windows, parking lot with marked spaces, small landscaped areas with plants, and a water tower in the background at sunset.

A Lasting Legacy

More than just a school, the LEAF Academy is a direct reflection of Madera’s agricultural heritage and its future. Designed with secure access, sustainable features, and a vision for net zero energy use, the facility integrates seamlessly with its rural surroundings while positioning GVUSD students at the forefront of agricultural research and innovation.

As additional phases unfold, the LEAF Academy will continue to deepen the connection between students and the community, offering spaces for markets, events, and applied research - ensuring that the legacy of farming in Madera not only endures, but thrives.

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