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Fresno Unified’s newest high school is looking to pivot away from the standard educational experience, instead equipping students with the knowledge necessary to gain entry into the business world.

The Phillip J. Patiño School of Entrepreneurship is devoted entirely to creating a business-like atmosphere for students to grow their professional skill set. From the corporate-style campus to the paper-less lesson plans, students are encouraged to embrace technology and innovation.

“When you enter through the doors, you should feel like you’re walking into a startup company,” said Brett Taylor, principal at Phillip J. Patiño.

Fresno’s Darden Architects designed the 30,000-square-foot facility, drawing from its past portfolio of educational buildings as well as inspiration from the corporate culture in Silicon Valley.

“We wanted something like a career tech facility but with more of a collegial, startup feel,” said Grant Dodson, principal and architect with the Fresno firm. “We worked really hard to get this kind of concept and include all these elements.”

Rather than the traditional classrooms, students have access to multiple meeting areas and several small conference rooms. A special film also covers school walls, allowing students to easily write down their thoughts and collaborate with partners.

“This school is different from anything we’ve ever done before,” Dodson said. “There’s lots of transparency to get out of the classroom type feel and make everything feel like it can be used as a learning environment.”….

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Article Published in the Central Valley Business Journal 9/11/15
Written by Hannah Esqueda