CSO worked closely with Washington Township Schools’ administrators, building-level principals and faculty, and the Design Team to develop a program for a prototypical two story, K-5 elementary school with six 5-classroom learning neighborhoods, an administrative area, shared activity area, gymnasium, dining commons, discovery center, kitchen, and building support spaces.
Each learning neighborhood has a shared activity commons that is large enough for the entire neighborhood to gather and is easily accessible from each classroom. The overall layout of the learning neighborhoods creates two outdoor learning labs and an interior learning lab courtyard that are easily accessed from all learning neighborhoods and discovery center. The interior courtyard will serve as both educational outdoor space and a source of natural light for both levels.
Adjacent to the learning neighborhoods are the instructional spaces for art, world language, the project/idea lab, and a self-contained learning studio which provides the possibility of a flex classroom should a grade level size fluctuate and need an additional classroom. Music is the only enrichment activity not directly adjacent to the neighborhoods. The music lab is located adjacent to the dining commons where there is a raised platform for performances. This also provides a good separation for the higher noise levels in the music lab from the rest of the instructional spaces.
A centrally located Discovery Center has a large two-story open area for book stacks as well as a Media Production Lab.
Willow Lake Elementary School was built on the site of an existing elementary school that was completely demolished to accommodate the new school, parking, and site improvements while preserving the existing baseball diamonds and soccer field.
A focal point of the design is the introduction of the learning commons, a versatile space designed to foster collaboration and adaptability. Here, educators will have the flexibility to seamlessly transition between direct instruction and group activities, catering to the diverse learning styles of their students. Each grade-level neighborhood will include small group rooms, providing intimate spaces for targeted instruction. Student support and enrichment will be offered directly within each neighborhood, allowing for push-in instruction and ensuring that every student can receive the assistance they need within the comfort of their classroom or neighborhood.
The building’s transformation extends beyond the confines of the classroom, encompassing a range of enhancements to the school’s facilities. Students and staff alike will benefit from new related arts spaces, including a new media center, art room, and music room, while renovated offices, an updated gymnasium, and reconfigured cafeteria and kitchen will provide functional and inspiring spaces for both learning and recreation.
Originally constructed in 1955, Klondike Elementary has undergone six subsequent addition and renovation projects, five of which will be demolished as part of this project. Through careful planning, the building will remain operational throughout construction.
In conjunction with the renovation and addition to Klondike Elementary, a new Intermediate School will house grades 3-5. The Intermediate School, also designed by CSO, will begin construction in the Fall of 2024. The Klondike campus is scheduled to be completed in the Summer of 2026.
CSO worked closely with Washington Township Schools’ administrators, building-level principals and faculty, and the Design Team to develop a program for a prototypical two story, K-5 elementary school with six 5-classroom learning neighborhoods, an administrative area, shared activity area, gymnasium, dining commons, discovery center, kitchen, and building support spaces.
Each learning neighborhood has a shared activity commons that is large enough for the entire neighborhood to gather and is easily accessible from each classroom. The overall layout of the learning neighborhoods creates two outdoor learning labs and an interior learning lab courtyard that are easily accessed from all learning neighborhoods and discovery center. The interior courtyard will serve as both educational outdoor space and a source of natural light for both levels.
Adjacent to the learning neighborhoods are the instructional spaces for art, world language, the project/idea lab, and a self-contained learning studio which provides the possibility of a flex classroom should a grade level size fluctuate and need an additional classroom. Music is the only enrichment activity not directly adjacent to the neighborhoods. The music lab is located adjacent to the dining commons where there is a raised platform for performances. This also provides a good separation for the higher noise levels in the music lab from the rest of the instructional spaces.
A centrally located Discovery Center has a large two-story open area for book stacks as well as a Media Production Lab.
Clearwater Elementary School was built on the site of an existing elementary school that was completely demolished to accommodate the new school, parking, and site improvements while preserving the existing baseball diamonds and soccer field.
