The proud home of the Reds, Cedar High School operates on a legacy of excellence with roots tracing back to 1898, when it was originally founded as a division of Branch Normal School under the University of Utah. The school eventually became Branch Agricultural College under Utah State University and was later transformed into the independent Cedar High School in 1940. For the decades following, the school faced the challenge of accommodating the area’s growing population, with continued efforts to expand the school.

In 2010, NWL Architects joined these efforts with a remodel of and addition to the school; a drastic transformation that was executed in two phases. The first phase was completed in August 2010 and included an addition of 32,223 square feet, comprised of new administration, counseling, and band room areas, and a new ground source loop field built to accommodate the entire building. Completed in January 2011, phase two included a remodeling of the existing band room, a reconfiguration of the existing counseling area into classrooms for students with profound disabilities, and a modification of the existing administration into classrooms for students with mild to moderate disabilities.

Complementing its accommodating interiors, the school’s exteriors were thoughtfully designed, speaking to the natural surrounding landscape with earthen brown tilt-up concrete and dusty red masonry cladding. The contrasting zigzags of the chevron-shaped entry canopy add architectural interest and a welcoming feel to the building, all while speaking to the area’s dramatic mountain peaks. The strength and loyalty of the Cedar Reds is manifested in a building that matches the pride and nobility of its occupants.