Arizona Charter School Debuts Expansion, Renovations

Construction management firm Adolfson & Peterson (AP) and charter school network Candeo Schools announced recently that they have completed an extensive expansion and renovation project on Candeo North Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Ariz. Work included the new construction of two buildings, cosmetic and structural renovations to existing facilities and updates to outdoor areas, and according to a press release, the project was finished three months ahead of schedule.

“AP has built schools in the Phoenix area for more than thirty years. When the pandemic hit, we collaborated closely with Candeo Schools, SPS+ Architects and local subcontractors to problem-solve many of the issues that other projects were experiencing,” said Scott Salyer, AP’s Vice President of Operations. “By working together, not only did we stick to the schedule, but we delivered the school three months early. We’re pleased with the outcome and confident the school’s additions and renovations leave it fully equipped to effectively educate and accommodate students in one of the fastest-growing suburbs of Phoenix.”

The project was completed in two phases. The first phase involved remodeling the existing administration building, renovating the courtyard, landscaping the playfield, painting and sealing concrete floors and expanding the playground. The second phase involved constructing two new buildings. The first measures in at 7,902 square feet and includes six new classrooms. The second, which covers 2,470 square feet, adds here more classrooms as well as a fire riser room, a mechanical room and an electrical closet.

“Our work with Adolfson & Peterson has been a smooth and impressive experience,” said Dr. Stephanie Musser, CEO and founder of Candeo Schools. “The care and responsiveness they have shown in meeting our school’s goals has been readily apparent from the start. The result is a customized, beautiful campus tailored to the needs of our community and our education program.”

The North Scottsdale Campus of Candeo Schools opened in August 2020. It serves students in grades K–8 and aims to provide a knowledge-based, classical liberal arts education.

About the Author

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

Featured

  • S4L Announces 2026 Education Design Showcase Winners

    Spaces4Learning is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2026 Education Design Showcase! Now in its 27th year, the annual awards program honors innovative solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction across K–12 and higher education.

  • Quattrocchi Kwok Architects Opens New Office in Denver

    Education planning and design firm Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA) recently announced that it has opened a new office in Denver, Colo., the firm’s third overall. QKA is headquartered in Santa Rosa, Calif., and runs an East Bay Area office in Oakland.

  • Barbara Vick Western Branch

    Barbara Vick Western Branch

    Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. The Barbara Vick Western Branch has been recognized with an EDS 2026 Grand Prize award in the category of Renovation.

  • Universities Continue to Launch Multimillion-Dollar Campus Transformations

    What makes the current wave of campus development especially noteworthy is its emphasis on multi-use functionality and community integration. Institutions are no longer investing solely in academic or athletic facilities in isolation. Instead, they are creating destinations that blend recreation, health, housing, and event-driven economic activity.