The addition provides a new secured entry and building administration area to create a secure campus. Also included is a new properly sized cafeteria commons and competition junior high gym with seating for 500. Additional classroom space and a new flexible STEM lab with equipment and overhead door allow for large-scale art and science projects. The addition also serves as a connecting corridor, minimizing students need to leave the secured facility during a typical school day.
How can we bring modern-day security and space for the growing school population to an aging facility?
Along with major renovations, a connecting addition to the original 1929 three-story HS building and the 1963 cafeteria and gymnasium building was designed to create a more secure campus and provide more space to accommodate the school population.
Site circulation was majorly improved with a new central drop off lane for both bus and car traffic in front of the existing 1929 building creating a much safer site.
A rebuilt stair creates a welcome invitation to the historical building.
The new 81,500 s.f. Ellsworth Dansby Jr. Magnet School will house K8 students with environments that revolve around student-focused learning. Flexible and collaborative work spaces will be incorporated to engage students to work in small groups.
The project at New Berlin's Junior/Senior High School will provide modern facilities for all grade levels in the district to learn and grow. The additions and renovations aim to reorganize and enhance core educational spaces, creating a clear sense of place for both junior high and senior high school students. While different grade levels will have age-appropriate spaces, shared areas will be centrally located for easy access.
The Community Engagement Planning Process with Meridian CUSD #15 resulted in a clear direction, to reduce the number of campuses from four to two and concentrate resources to make these remaining two campuses healthy, safe, and educationally relevant.