Add as a preferred source on Google

Nebraska to Open Boys Town Education Center

  • By Matt Jones
  • 09/05/23

The village of Boys Town, Neb., recently announced that the Boys Town Education Center has opened its doors to students in time for the fall 2023 semester, a news release reports. The town is a National Historic Landmark and serves as the headquarters of Boys Town, one of the largest non-profit childcare organizations in the U.S. Boys Town partnered with DLR Group for the building’s planning, design, and construction.

The new facility has a capacity for 450 students in grades 4–12. The site of the campus was previously occupied by Boys Town High School, which was built in 1948. The new facility marks the first time that elementary-, middle-, and high-school students enrolled in the program can come together underneath one roof.

“The new Boys Town Education Center is designed to support all types of learners through a variety of different learning environments, from one-on-one spaces to larger learning commons,” said Vanessa Schutte, AIA, ALEP, Principal and K–12 Education Leader with DLR Group. “Boys Town serves many at-risk students who have endured trauma. For this reason, DLR Group integrated trauma-informed design principles throughout the design of the school, providing the appropriate level of privacy, ease of visibility, and connection to nature. Our priority is to create spaces that respect and support each individual’s needs.”

The facility stands three stories and measures in at 110,000 square feet, according to the news release. Its exterior pays tribute to previous historic Boys Town facilities through brick patterns and the original Boys Town mural. The interior features “exceptionally adaptive” spaces that meet the learning needs of students of a variety of backgrounds and ages. It also offers a STEM-focused curriculum and activities to prepare students for careers in different industries.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • textured paper collage shows a school building on fire as a fire truck sprays water into the flames

    Why a Fire Loss Is More than Flames

    We've all seen what fire damage can do to a property, but the types of damage building owners often encounter after a fire loss can exceed expectations. Having full awareness of the different forms of damage properties can sustain helps owners respond faster, reduce continued damage, and get back on the road to recovery in short order.

  • Texas District Finishes Construction on New Middle School, Admin Building

    The Westwood Independent School District recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Westwood Middle School and Administration Building in Palestine, Texas, according to a news release. The campus covers 106,000 square feet and has the capacity for 650 students in grades 6–8, and it will also play home to the district’s staff and administration.

  • Image credit: O

    Strategic Campus Assessment: Moving Beyond Reactive Maintenance in Educational Facilities

    While campuses may appear stable on the surface, building systems naturally evolve over time, and proactive assessment can identify developing issues before they become expensive emergencies. The question isn't whether aging educational facilities need attention. It's how institutions can transition from costly reactive maintenance to strategic asset management in a way that protects both budgets and communities.

  • California K–12 District Opens New Athletic Complex, Gym

    The San Mateo Union High School District (SMUHSD) in San Mateo, Calif., recently announced the completion of two new athletics facilities: a new gymnasium at Burlingame High School, and a new athletic training complex at San Mateo High School, according to a news release.

Digital Edition