As ISD 16 began implementing enhancements to vital learning programs, opportunities to provide all students with a personalized learning experience and expand access to early childhood programs to meet the needs of their growing community were at the forefront of all design discussions.
Part of a larger project, which included reorganization and renovation of the adjacent district office and construction of new space for the transitions program, the early childhood addition was designed to align with the district’s core beliefs that learning should be celebrated and will be visible, spaces are to be flexible and facilities will be welcoming for all. Comprised of a pod of four classrooms, a large active learning/commons area, and a variety of spaces for community and early childhood education, the early childhood center (ECC) provides a learning environment catered to the needs of the youngest learners in the District as well as ample space for broader community use. Wold and District staff collaborated over the course of the project to ensure classroom amenities, furniture, and support spaces were equitable across the district and provided a comparable learning experience for early childhood students and staff.