Blueprint Schools Partner Spotlight: R. McGhee & Associates
Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future: Integrating Historic Preservation into Modern School Design
Blending modern school design with historic features from the original Hyattsville Elementary.
As part of Prince George’s County Public Schools’ (PGCPS) Blueprint Schools Phase 2 program, Progressive Education Partners (PEP) is leading the construction of eight new schools across the county, with a strong commitment to honoring each community’s history. Supporting that mission, R. McGhee & Associates, a minority-owned historic preservation architecture firm and key partner on the PEP team, is guiding preservation efforts at several schools, including Hyattsville Elementary School, ensuring students remain connected to the stories embedded in the walls around them.
“For us, the building itself is the artifact,” said Ronnie McGhee, Principal of R. McGhee & Associates. “It tells the story of the community’s evolution, of the families who came before and the generations who will come after.”
With more than 25 years of experience in historic preservation and restoration, McGhee’s firm specializes in civic and community spaces such as schools and libraries. Their work blends technical expertise with deep community engagement, ensuring historic elements are not simply saved, but meaningfully reintegrated into modern learning environments.
At Hyattsville Elementary, that philosophy is on full display. While much of the school is being rebuilt, a preserved Art Deco corner of the original building, featuring historic stone and brickwork, will remain prominently integrated into the new design. Interior and exterior materials, color palettes, and finishes will echo Art Deco influences, creating visual continuity between past and present.
“We didn’t want the preserved portion to feel like an afterthought,” McGhee explained. “We wanted it to be visible, celebrated, and part of students’ everyday experience.”
Beyond architectural features, the firm is also working with the community to identify and preserve legacy items, including student artwork and historical memorabilia. Plans include transforming the preserved structure into a community and student gallery, where students can learn about architectural styles, explore their school’s history, and even showcase their own creative work.
“We’re building spaces that teach, sometimes without a single word on the wall,” said Elena Skotar, Head Designer at R. McGhee & Associates. “When students feel like their school reflects who they are and where they come from, it becomes a place they want to be.”
The firm’s collaborative approach has been key to navigating the complexities of preservation within a large-scale, fast-moving program like PEP. Weekly coordination meetings with
designers, builders, and school leadership ensure historic preservation goals align with safety standards, maintenance requirements, and educational needs.
“There’s complexity to projects like these, which includes cost, timing, and specialized craftsmanship,” McGhee acknowledged. “But when everyone agrees on the value of preserving history, it becomes worth the effort.”
As a diverse firm representing more than eight nationalities, R. McGhee & Associates brings multiple perspectives to each project, an asset McGhee says directly influences their work. Growing up in Washington, D.C., he witnessed firsthand how community voices are often overlooked during development.
“Our role is to listen and make sure communities feel seen and heard,” he said. “This work is about legacy. Schools shape neighborhoods, and neighborhoods shape lives.”
For the team, the impact is deeply personal. Sergio Lizarraga, a staff architect who was born in Peru but grew up in the DMV area, shared what it means to help design a school that local children will attend for years to come. “These buildings become part of people’s memories,” he said. “Knowing we helped create a place where students feel proud…that stays with you.”
Ultimately, R. McGhee & Associates sees historic preservation not as looking backward, but as laying a stronger foundation for the future.
“When students walk into a school excited to learn, when they feel connected to the space, that’s when we know we’ve done our job,” McGhee said. “That ripple effect lasts generations.”
Murals along the brick wall have been protected and will be revealed again upon completion of the new school.