The first thing you notice when entering this elementary school is most likely the color. Color has a large impact on children’s perception of a space, so we gave them the opportunity to tell us what they wanted. Students were given black and white images of the building and asked to color the school in a way that excited them most. Color jumped off the pages!! Though we didn’t take it to quite that extreme, it guided us to a light-interference, stainless steel metal panel exterior that is long-lasting, durable and aesthetically innovative. The classroom wing also stands out – imagine the remnants of children’s crafts. The window shapes slice right through the façade of the building, the way children create projects. Before anyone even steps inside, we’ve already set an expectation that this school is a fun place to learn. The atrium, flooded with daylight, illuminates the commons, media center and special education pod. Spaces facilitate active learning, giving students freedom within limits. Classrooms incorporate rooms for small groups, flex rooms for large groups and “front porches” as welcoming extensions of each classroom. This school promotes the collaboration the district and teachers desire, while giving students an exciting new place to learn and grow!