Scope
New Elementary School, Grades K-5
Completion
2002
Size
118,000 sf
A need for a new elementary school arose due to overcrowding in the District’s three other elementary schools. This school, designed to house up to 900 students in Kindergarten through 5th grade, was purposefully planned to provide a large student population with a small “neighborhood” school feel.
We have been together so long it is as though your company is an actual part of our school district. Without this continued support, our facilities would not be in such great condition.
Jackson Local Schools Building & Grounds Supervisor
With student safety at the forefront of this K-5 facility, bus pickup areas and parking were situated at the rear of the school building, away from Strausser Road. The playground was also located behind the school building. The main entrance creates a dividing line between the gymnasium and cafetorium, making it possible to close off the classroom areas when after-school events are held, offering further security for the students and staff.
The two-story design includes a gymnasium, stage, and “cafetorium”, a interior space that doubles as a cafeteria and auditorium. Classrooms are grouped together in three wings, giving a sense of community. With six classrooms per grade level, the classrooms were arranged in pairs with a moveable wall between to allow group instruction and collaboration. The paired classrooms also have a small group area for intervention and breakout. Restrooms were located in the hallway wing at each grade level, in close proximity to the student learning spaces, giving teachers better use of instructional time.
Everything that we asked for as teachers seems to have been considered. It is a truly remarkable facility. Even though it is such a large building, it still feels warm and comfortable like a home. The unique student restrooms are a plus for the teachers; they alleviate a great deal of stress.
Strausser Elementary 2nd Grade Teacher
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