Lee’s Summit R-7 SD Lee’s Summit High School Renovation

Project Name

Lee's Summit High School Renovation

Size (sq ft)

360,000

HEI Project Profile - Long

Lee’s Summit High School, the R-7 district’s oldest school, underwent a comprehensive modernization that transformed a 1953 campus into a healthier, higher-performing learning environment. Henderson Engineers supported the project through a 65,000 SF addition and 295,000 SF renovation designed to improve aging classrooms, circulation, safety, and critical building systems while the school remained occupied. The work helped reposition a long-standing community asset to better support contemporary teaching, learning, and student wellness. The project advanced through seven phases of construction over three years, requiring thoughtful phasing and close coordination to maintain school operations across the occupied campus. Major upgrades included a chilled water system, modular indoor air handling units, improved ventilation, lighting enhancements, fire alarm upgrades, and infrastructure supporting performing arts and maker environments. Energy modeling and modernized mechanical systems informed decisions that improved indoor environmental quality, long-term efficiency, and operational performance while aligning the facility with modern educational standards. When existing as-built documents proved unreliable, Henderson mobilized field teams to verify conditions ahead of construction, helping reduce delays, support coordination, and manage potential cost impacts. The project also moved forward amid COVID-era survey limitations and peak inflation, demanding flexibility and strong collaboration across the full design and construction team. The completed addition and renovation reflect a resilient approach to modernizing a beloved school while preserving its legacy and preparing it for future generations of students and educators. The project earned AIA Kansas City’s 2025 Architecture Extra Large Honor Award.

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