Colorado IB School Completes Renovations, Additions

International Baccalaureate school Alameda International Junior/Senior High School, part of the Jeffco Public Schools district in Lakewood, Colo., recently opened its retooled campus to the community, according to a news release. The facility was originally built in 1961 and required a series of major renovations to meet the needs of modern students.

Work included demolishing an old classroom building on the campus’ west side, creating a new wing on its east side, and constructing a new main entrance to the school. The district partnered with Wold Architects and Engineers for the project’s design. The school’s IB program serves students in grades 7–12 and features a variety of learning spaces designed to promote collaborative learning, teamwork, and socialization. New amenities include community study spaces, a Senior Lounge, a learning staircase, and flexible learning corridors.

“Today marks a major milestone or the future of Alameda International, and we couldn’t be more excited for our staff, students, and community,” said Alameda International Principal Susie Van Scoyk. “These new spaces create an environment that supports collaborative learning, allowing students to take ownership of their learning and develop future-ready skills to make a difference and thrive in a world that’s always evolving.”

The renovated facility also features a new, two-story media center that the news release calls “the heart of the school community.” It was designed to feature as much natural daylight as possible via a tall curtain wall on the east side and clerestory windows on the north.

Funding for the project came through a bond. “We are grateful to our Jeffco community who supported this work, as we take financial stewardship very seriously,” said Jeffco Public Schools Superintendent Tracy Dorland. “These upgrades symbolize our prioritization of fostering an environment that inspires excellence, innovation, and a true sense of belonging.”

About the Author

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

Featured

  • East Carolina University Selects Architect for $60M Residence Hall Renovations

    East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C., recently announced that it has selected the KWK/Jenkins Peer Architects (JPA) team, collaborating with INTREPID Architecture, to design renovations for two of its residence halls, according to a news release.

  • Texas A&M Breaks Ground on New Space Institute

    The Texas A&M University Space Institute recently broke ground next to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, according to a news release. The Nov. 15 groundbreaking ceremony followed the Nov. 7 approval by the Texas A&M University System’s Board of Regents of $200 million for the facility’s construction.

  • Craig Gaulden Davis Architecture Announces Merger with PBK

    Craig Gaulden Davis Architecture (CGD), based in South Carolina and Maryland, recently announced that it has merged with PBK, the largest K–12 architectural firm in the U.S., according to a news release. The firm will operate as Craig Gaulden Davis | PBK with 31 offices across the country.

  • 5 Tips for New Teachers and Their Administrators on Classroom Design

    Recently, several school visits early in the academic year highlighted how many first-year teachers struggle to set up their classrooms effectively. It's evident that more can be done to better support them from the start, particularly in the area of classroom design.