Minnesota District Completes Major Renovations, Expansions to High School
White Bear Lake Area Schools in White Bear Lake, Minn., recently announced that it has completed the renovation and expansion of White Bear Lake Area High School, according to a news release. The school’s final addition, a new 845-seat Performing Arts Center, was finished in November. The district partnered with Wold Architects and Engineers for the project, which involved 285,000 square feet of renovation and 375,000 square feet of additions.
Funding for the project came from a $326-million bond request that local voters approved in November 2019. Previously, the high school’s students were split between the North Campus (for freshmen and sophomores) and the South Campus (for juniors and seniors). The primary goal was to unite the whole student body beneath one roof, which involved significant improvements to the North Campus facility.
“This project is about more than just a building—it’s about creating a future for our students that reflects the values and voices of our community,” said White Bear Lake Area Schools Superintendent Wayne Kazmierczak. “By uniting all of our high school students and staff under one campus, we’ve created an environment where collaboration, growth and opportunity thrive. This school ensures that our students are not only prepared for today but are ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow, and we’re proud to be in a space that honors our past while embracing the potential of our future.”
The school is designed around career pathways programming and features a series of interconnected flexible learning spaces called Learning Studios. Beyond the three-story classroom and specialty lab space addition—and the Performing Arts Center—other amenities include a five-station athletics field house, a 200m track, and a student union with dining options and event space.
“Our design approach for White Bear Lake Area High School was focused on breaking down traditional barriers to learning by creating open, flexible spaces that empower students to take control of their educational experience,” said Wold Architects and Engineers Partner Paul Aplikowski. “The new Learning Studios, collaborative areas and dynamic seating options reflect a forward-thinking vision for how education can adapt to meet the needs of every student. This school stands as a testament to the community’s commitment to fostering innovation, engagement and lifelong learning, and we are honored to have played a role in bringing that vision to life.”
The district also partnered with Kraus-Anderson as construction manager, according to the news release.
About the Author
Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].