Sternberg went against the prevailing standard that a school of this size needed 50 acres of land .
Sternberg persuaded the School Board that he could accommodate all the school 's outdoor needs on one - half of this acreage .
Going against the prevailing standard that a school of this size needed 50 acres of land , Sternberg persuaded the School Board that he could accommodate all the school 's outdoor needs on one - half of this acreage .