At 50 years old, the Eisenhower High School for the Decatur Public School District was physically worn, and functionally ineffective. The school district conducted a community engagement planning process to determine how best to meet the current and future educational aspirations of the community.
- Award of Distinction, Exhibition of Educational Environments: IASB/IASA/IASBO 2014 Conference
- Small group spaces
- Active learning space
How do we renovate a dated, physically worn, and functionally ineffective facility to develop an environment that supports student achievement and engages students in their learning?
The school district conducted a community engagement planning process to determine how best to meet the current and future educational aspirations of the community.
Through this, 100% of the existing building was remodeled, and approximately 10% of additional program space was added to complete the transformation. New program spaces such as a recording studio, media bars, and fitness and wellness areas were added, which naturally engage students.
"It was very important to the families and community members of the District that the renovated facilities demonstrate a collegiate atmoshpere where students could participate in collaborative learning activites. Our high school renovations exceeded the expectation of our students, staff, and community."
- Lisa M. Taylor, Former Superintendent, Decautr Public School District 61
Following a successful year-long master planning process, designed to address concerns of aging infrastructure and facility inequities, Lanphier High School was identified as a top priority for revitalization among the district's three high schools.
This renovation and new addition project turned into an opportunity to not only unify an outdated and disconnected school building, but also bring unification to a student body and community.
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.