Nettie S. Freed K-8 Expeditionary School
Why
Pueblo School District 60 retained the joint venture of RTA/MOA for the planning, design, and construction of a new K-8 Expeditionary School to replace the aging and now demolished Heroes K-8 Academy School. The Nettie S. Freed K-8 Expeditionary School is being funded through bond premiums from the Build D60 bond that was passed in November 2019.
How
The initial design criteria and community expectations were previously established through a District-wide master plan, with additional verification and feedback provided by the District Executive Team, Learning Services, and Support Team. The design team held a series of user group workshops and community meetings to further refine the design.
What
The new Nettie S. Freed K-8 Expeditionary School will provide experiential learning opportunities in a technology-rich environment for Career and Technical Education (CTE) career pathways through engaging hands-on learning. Students will explore career pathways and their world through expeditions and project-based learning opportunities, field trips, and guest speakers.
The two-story design features an Academic Core with three Learning Pods each containing an Activity Corridor and outdoor student learning areas on the ground level. The Learning Pods will be supported with Learning Studios, a Learning Resource room, and a Teacher Think-Tank. Each Learning Pod will be slightly unique to serve a specific student population including Kindergarten, Special Education, and specific Science classrooms for middle school grade levels. CTE and Art make up the balance of the Academic Core wing. Operable overhead sectional doors, folding partitions, and flexible furnishings will be utilized throughout the building to provide spaces for collaboration. Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2022, and the new school will open for the 2023 school year.
Project Details
Size: 77,000 sf (est.)
Cost: $26,832M (est.)
Design Details
- New construction
- Expeditionary Learning program with Science, STEM, CTE academic focus
- Robust technology
- 21st Century learning environments
- Flexible collaboration spaces and furnishings
- Outdoor learning spaces, presentation classroom, and eating areas
- High-performance mechanical systems and building materials
- Learning Pods each with Learning Studios, Learning Resource Room, and Teacher Think-Tank
- Discovery / Media Project Center with Tinkering Space
- Music, Art, and Innovation spaces