Faced with outdated high school facilities, an extensive community engagement planning process identified and assisted in prioritizing needs; ensuring a successful plan. After passing a referendum with more than 80% approval, the project took aim at providing a learning environment fit for a future-focused education.
The reimagined environment creates a perimeter of learning spaces, exposing students to day-lit rooms with clear and easy access to support spaces. The organization of these areas, around a triad of break out spaces and a heart of shared learning spaces, supports the desire of students to collaborate and move. The collaboration hubs create a series of social and learning opportunities in a variety of scales and environments, giving students the spaces they need to succeed.
Environmental graphics reinforce the school brand and motto for students creating an exciting and engaging space for learning.
Imagine a learning space with dim artificial lighting controlled by distant switches, minimal natural illumination, and cramped corridors prone to bottlenecks – these were the challenges of the outdated 1970s high school building.
The media center, dining commons, and collaboration area now serve as the heart of the facility which connects the academic, wellness, and arts into a bright and welcoming supportive space for students and the community.
- 500 Seat Auditorium
- New Secondary Multipurpose Practice Gym
- Secure Main Entry
- Clear, inviting and flexible event entry
- Environmental Branding to engage students
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 To help accomplish this goal, a reimagined, new facility replaced an outdated structure which was located on the highest elevation point in Decatur, Johns Hill.
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.
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.