School districts throughout the country continuously struggle with developments and evolution within educational environments.
For three elementary schools in Springfield’s District #186, more space was greatly needed. Each of these elementary schools added modular structures as a temporary solution. However, those structures ended up becoming detached extensions of their main curriculum.
As time went on, teachers were forced to juggle instruction between their main buildings and the modular structures, depending on educational and enrollment challenges. The district partnered with Graham & Hyde to help resolve the issue of space that had been plaguing it for decades.
- Carl Sandburg Elementary School, located at 2051 W. Wabash, operates with a vision to provide meaningful learning experiences that challenge all students to reach their individual potential. The school opened its doors in 1961, named for the great Illinois poet Carl August Sandburg (born in 1878 in Galesburg), who was actually present at the school’s dedication ceremony. Originally housing 8 classrooms, the school added four more in 1965, along with a library. G&H helped the school with four additional classrooms and office space to modernize the school and provide adequate space to serve approximately 270 students.
- Black Hawk Elementary School, located at 2500 S. College St, is in the middle of Springfield, drawing students from a variety of nearby neighborhoods on Springfield’s mid-south side. It serves approximately 240 students with a student/teacher ratio estimated to be close to 13:1. Black Hawk’s mission encourages children to make good choices and overcome challenges through hard work.
- Fairview Elementary School, located at 2200 Ridgely Avenue, seeks to be “a place where families are valued, expectations for learning are high, and successes are celebrated!” The school works to educate children with 21st century skills so they can take their place in a global community.
In all three schools, G&H’s preliminary focus was to eliminate 6 modular structures at each school, providing internal educational support spaces within each existing facility along with distinct and secure entrances to each through a multi-phase approach.
New spaces at the schools included: secure lobbies, administrative offices, nursing services, special education, resources services, social worker, student support services, parent and community services (MOSAIC), occupation and physical therapy (OT/PT), English as a second language (ESL), media/library, music/art/reading/literature, support services (such as conference rooms, storage, and toilet facilities), Kindergarten and 5th grade.
With the completion of these projects, G&H has equipped Carl Sandburg, Black Hawk and Fairview with the spaces needed to grow and serve the children of District #186.