As part of a district-wide master plan implementation for Champaign Schools, BLDD brought the International Prep Academy (IPA) to life. This transformational educational environment supports diverse students in learning through future-focused methods. Intentional features like operable walls and flexible seating facilitate collaboration and project-based learning, while bilingual teams and faculty can share students without leaving the classroom area.
At IPA's heart is a two-story commons space serving as a multipurpose hub. This open gathering area hosts sporting and cultural events, serves as a dining space, and transforms into a performance venue with a tiered seating area and stage access. The upper commons overlooks the stage and provides access to a large media center, home to a bilingual library supporting the school's diverse student community.
Awarded 2023 Exhibition of Educational Environments Honorable Mention
- Two-story, multi-use commons space
- Dedicated spaces for ESL, intervention and special programs
- Large media center with bilingual library with space for 15,000 volumes
- Dedicated art spaces with kiln and gallery
- Flexible furniture, operable walls and collaboration spaces
Through renovations and an addition to a 1950s-era building on a tight city footprint, an engaging, innovative and inviting high school, focused on providing modern facilities to support digital learning, academic achievement and fine arts and athletic excellence was developed. While the student population was highly achieving, the existing school did not reflect the student merit.
Faced with outdated and inflexible learning environments, unused spaces, chaotic drop off and pick up, and no central gathering area, doing nothing was not an option for the Jacksonville School District. Not only is the junior high experience a pivotal time in a child’s life, but of all the district facilities, the junior high was positioned to serve every student in the district.
Faced with outdated high school facilities, an extensive community engagement planning process identified and assisted in prioritizing needs; ensuring a successful plan.