Enhanced Learning Experience for Middle School Students

The Kenowa Hills Public Schools community approved a $67 million bond to fund the next 10 years of improvements to their district in 2020. The middle school will receive improvements to the facility’s infrastructure, extensive renovations, and an addition dedicated to fine art spaces. It was important to the district to enhance the learning experience for students to foster collaboration and encourage a variety of learning environments.

The building was designed into neighborhood pockets to encourage relationship-building between classes for same-age students and staff. This redirection of space also helps create a sense of community pride by connecting all grade levels and increasing chances for communication. The classrooms will be expanded to support the variety of teaching and learning happening in the spaces including pods, large groups, and individual study. The largest renovation will be expanding the cafeteria, kitchen, and adjacent courtyard for more functional outdoor use. The media center will make space for large group instruction, technology plug ins for large and small groups, projection options, and flexible furnishings and shelving. Support spaces, like the locker rooms and restrooms, will also receive renovations. Students will be able to enjoy modernized spaces throughout the school that make it feel like a new, inspiring space for education.

The addition to the middle school will encompass a band room, orchestra room, fine arts practice rooms, instrument storage areas, and associated offices. The students will also be able to enjoy new band and orchestral instruments. The current auditorium will be repurposed into a practice performance space with flexible partitions that can support classroom activities in a variety of sizes.

Upgrades to the aging mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems along with new fire suppression, parking lot improvements, and enhanced security measures will be included. Replacement of facility furniture and technology is also planned for the multi-phase renovation.

The facility is laid out to allow for future classroom expansions and adaptability to community growth and increased enrollment.