Named after two prominent African-American NASA astronauts, Dr. Mae C. Jemison High School and Ronald E. McNair Junior High School opened its doors to students in August 2016. Both schools, designed by Chapman Sisson Architects, are separated by a majestic curved canopy measuring over 40 feet high and 40 feet wide. Ronald E. McNair Junior High School was designed to accommodate 700 7th and 8th grade students within its 78,000 square feet. To align with Huntsville City School’s initiative to move junior high schools to middle schools, this created the need to add additional classroom and supporting space for 6th grade students.

The 6th grade wing addition consists of a two-story classrooms, band, offices, and media center addition of approximately 21,200 SF. Interior renovations accommodate a larger cafeteria, concession, and additional offices. The exterior consists of brick and stone veneer with storefront windows that are in character with the existing school. Ronald E. McNair’s history is carried through the interior of the school addition featuring graphic acoustical panels with an image of McNair playing his saxophone in space, and a lit-perforated metal wall panel of the McNair crater in the space-themed Media Center.