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 was later passed on to Utah State University and became Branch Agricultural College. As the Cedar City area population grew, the school was transformed into the independent Cedar High School in 1940. For the decades following, the school faced the continual challenge of accommodating the area’s growing population, with the administration adding multiple classrooms, auxiliary buildings, and a basement to the school. Finally, in 2010, Iron County School District enlisted NWL Architects for a drastic remodel of and addition to the school; a transformation that was completed in two phases. Phase one saw an addition of 32,223 square feet that included new administration, counseling, and band room areas, and a new ground source loop field built to accommodate the entire building. This phase was completed in August 2010. Phase two of the project included remodeling the existing counseling and band room areas and the existing administration area, which was modified to accommodate the classrooms for students with mild to moderate disabilities. Additionally, the existing counseling area was reconfigured into classrooms for students with profound disabilities. Phase two, which included 309,705 square feet, was completed in November 2013.

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 evidenced by a building designed to match the pride and nobility of its occupants.