BLDD is making steady progress through the design development phase of the new PK-5 elementary school project, with completion of design development expected in the coming weeks.
The Rockridge Elementary project represents more than just a new building – it's a complete reimagining of primary education for the community. By thoughtfully consolidating three elementary schools into one state-of-the-art facility, we're creating opportunities that wouldn't be possible in smaller, separate buildings.
Our team is currently:
- Finalizing space allocation and sizing across the facility
- Conducting detailed coordination meetings with school staff to ensure all educational requirements are met
- Fine-tuning layouts to optimize functionality and flow
This $33 million project, which received strong community support with a 70% approval rate, continues to move forward on schedule. The new facility will be located on the Junior/Senior High School campus, creating a more unified educational environment for the district. Move-in is planned for Fall 2027.
- New Construction
- Learning Commons for Each Pod
- PK-5 School
- STEM, Art and Music Labs
- Separate Bus Lane and Car Lanes for Pickup / Drop off
- Dedicated Support Spaces for Intervention, SPED, and SEL
- Sensory-focused Furniture and Spaces
- Wayfinding Graphics and Colors
This transition opens doors to enhanced programming, including dedicated art spaces and cutting-edge STEM labs that will give students hands-on learning experiences from their earliest years. Our team is working closely with educators to ensure every design decision supports their vision for a unified curriculum and collaborative teaching environment.
The new school isn't just combining buildings– it's bringing together traditions, teaching styles, and communities to create something greater than the sum of its parts. For Rockridge's youngest learners, this means a future filled with new possibilities.
With the implementation of a county-wide sales tax that provided additional funds to public schools across the region, the Mt. Zion School board wanted to invest funds into facilities that bolstered the community's small town traditions. The new athletics field house and auditorium within Mt. Zion High School provide ample space for a myriad of academic and civic events.
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.
Through the BOLD Facilities Plan, Decatur Public Schools is working to ensure student-focused learning environments with spaces that expand learning beyond traditional expectations to further engage students. To help accomplish this goal, a reimagined, new facility replaced an outdated structure which was located on the highest elevation point in Decatur, Johns Hill.