boxed-in layout of most HISD schools, the Rice School is a marvel of light and space, projecting a sense of openness and possibility." Palm trees are located next to the school sidewalks. The school library is called a "Learning Arcade." Fleck stated that the library is the centerpiece of the building. The school walls have pastel colors. The school building has an official capacity of 1,056 students. Admissions When the school first opened, it had about 1,200 slots. To distribute the slots, the school used a racially balanced lottery that allocated about one thirds of the total slots to overflow students from West University Elementary School and two thirds of the total slots to other areas in the district, with priority for African American and Hispanic students. In addition the 2/3 portion was weighted for gender. About 70 openings were reserved for children of Rice University faculty and staff. There were no academic admission standards, leading the student body to initially include middle and low income African-Americans and Hispanics and wealthy Whites with varying ranges of ability. As of 2009 all Rice School students are admitted by magnet transfers. Student body Around 2009, the school typically has about 680 elementary school students and 470 middle school students. The students live throughout the school district, 90% of students go to and from school on school district-provided transportation. As of 2007, 90% of the students at Rice are racial and ethnic minorities (racial groups other than non-Hispanic white), and 60% are classified as low income students. In 2002 Jocelyn Mouton, the Rice School principal, said that the K-8 setup allows eight grades to learn responsibility by tending to younger children, while younger children admire older children. She added that the format allows children to learn from both elementary and middle school teachers at the same time, starting with the first year. For most of the school day, middle school students are separated from elementary school students. When middle schoolers interact with elementary schoolers, middle schoolers are placed in mentorship positions over elementary school students. When the school first opened in 1994, 50% of the students were White, 25% were Hispanic, and 25% were Black. At the time 72 children of Rice University employees attended the school. In 1996 the students were about 37% White, 33% Black, 27% Hispanic, and 3% Asian. School uniforms Rice requires school uniforms for all of its students.