Built in 1924, South Side Elementary is the oldest elementary facility in the Champaign School District. The original facility was designed during a time when children would walk to and from school, and aside from technological upgrades, few changes had been made to modernize the building since its original construction.
An addition and renovation includes a new gym, dining commons, administration offices, library and three flexible-learning classrooms. To improve safety and security, a tornado shelter was added, along with updated entry controls and advanced camera systems.
Environmental graphics reinforce the traditions and focus of the historic South Side program with star motifs and emphasis on every student reaching their potential. Flooring design in the commons and graphics reminds students that ‘Stars Shine Here.’
Additional details include:
- Large banners in the commons remind students to ‘Be Safe, Be Kind, Be Respectful, and Be Ready’
- Classroom corridors use photos of South Side students from a school-wide project, ‘Best of Me’
- Each grade environment is branded with a different color to aid with wayfinding
- 29,000 Square Foot Renovation
- 15,000 Square Foot Addition
- New Gymnasium
- Dining Commons
- Administration Offices
- Flexible Learning Classrooms
- New Library/Media Center
- Upgraded Security Features
- Branded Environments
As one of the oldest elementary schools in the district, the facility required upgrades to both its structure and educational programming.
The renovated facility seamlessly blends a modern, engaging environment with the preserved historic character of the school.
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.
The building was designed to replace several small, aging elementary schools with one larger facility that accommodates small learning communities and future education changes through its unique modular design.
Cerro Gordo CUSD #100 was facing outdated facilities, overcrowding, and needed some serious security updates. To solve these problems, this district was renovated to include a connecting addition to the original 1929 three-story HS building and the 1963 cafeteria/gymnasium building.