The district spent four years working with the community and staff to plan for an expansion and renovation with the goal of meeting the needs of growing enrollment and providing future-focused learning opportunities to students.
The expansion and renovation allowed for advancement in the District’s science, technology, engineering, math, art and foreign language programs. Construction was phased so that students could continue to utilize the space during construction.
The project created a connection of two existing buildings via two newly constructed additions. Both CPS and CIS benefit from expanded and updated student media commons and expanded dining commons capacities. Renovations throughout the schools created additional future-focused learning spaces, providing age appropriate learning environments for all students.
"The renovation has given the school space to add art, foreign language, and S.T.E.M. classes to the curriculum. Students didn’t have access to these subjects before the new additions. We were using every closet, every space in our district to educate our kids. Now we truly have the spaces we need." - Dan Heidbreder, Superintendent, Central School District #51
- Band and Choir Addition
- Art Addition
- Primary Gymnasium Addition
- 3rd and 4th Grade Additions
- New Secure Entry Sequence
- Age Appropriate Learning Spaces for all Students
- Expanded Learning Spaces to add Art, Foreign Language and Stem to Curiculums
How can the current site be utilized while implementing future-focused spaces and accommodating growing enrollment?
Throughout the PK-8 campus, classrooms have been renovated to grades in a way that allow for easy flow, but also quick access to support spaces that enhance the educational experience including STEM, Art, Music, and Collaboration.
A welcoming school vision and postive words create a sense of energy and collaboration in the future-focused spaces.
Vibrant colors and graphics are featured throughout the building.
A new Elementary School was proposed to help the district replace the approximately 80,000 s.f. of outdated, non-functional, and rigid elementary spaces housed at Lincoln (3-5) and Washington (PK-2).
With an already thriving program, the planning of this facility and its location needed to be tightly knit into other district programs, such as athletics and general education. A key consideration was also the ability to expand program offerings in the future, through enlarged facilities and features which could include on-site gardens, crops or additional livestock support.
In 2021, voters approved a $35 million dollar referendum, called, “Safe Schools, Safe Kids.” Bierbaum required building additions and interior modifications to accommodate their increasing enrollment, and enhance safety and security measures.