California K–12 District Completes Elementary School Campus Replacement

The West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) in Richmond, Calif., recently announced the completion of a replacement campus for Lake Elementary School, according to a news release. The school has capacity for 470 students between Transitional Kindergarten (TK) and sixth grade. The district partnered with Quattrocchi Kwok Architects and Alten Construction for the build, which was funded by Bond Measure R.

“This campus marks a new era for our students and the entire community,” said Cheryl Cotton, district superintendent. “These facilities are a source of immense pride, replacing buildings that were no longer up to code or capable of supporting our educational programs. The campus now provides students and staff with the essential resources they need to thrive. Thank you to the project team and the community for your support in bringing our new school to life.”

Lake Elementary School exterior
Image courtesy of Quattrocchi Kwok Architects

The 56,700-square-foot campus uses a “Learning Suite” concept, grouping individual classrooms around open, flexible spaces, according to the news release. Amenities include a library, administrative space, and a multi-purpose building with a kitchen and cafeteria. Improvements to the outdated and undersized campus involved high-elevation, synthetic turf fields and paved play areas.

“We are proud to partner with the district and Alten to make the new Lake Elementary School a reality,” said John Dzbczak, QKA Principal. “Our priority was ensuring a safe learning environment both during the complex phases of construction and for generations of students to come.”

About the Author

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

Featured

  • 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.

  • Phoenix School District Breaks Ground on New Prep Academy

    The Creighton Elementary School District near Phoenix, Ariz., recently broke ground on a campus replacement for Biltmore Preparatory Academy, according to a news release. The new space will allow the school to expand its enrollment by 50 percent for K–8 students and accommodate modern, collaborative learning styles.

  • Dallas ISD Voters Approve $6.2B Bond Package

    Dallas ISD voters have approved a record-setting $6.2-billion bond package that district leaders say will modernize aging campuses, eliminate portable classrooms and reshape learning environments across one of the nation’s largest school systems.

  • USC Launches Major AI Initiative After $200M Gift

    The University of Southern California in Los Angeles, Calif., recently announced that it has launched a “transformational” new AI initiative thanks to a $200M gift, according to a news release. The project will leverage AI toward breakthroughs and innovations in subjects like the health sciences, business, security, and the arts.