Campaign Story

In 2017 we created a strategic plan that outlined our commitment to optimizing our facility to continue being an exceptional learning environment for our students today and in the years to come. Initial plans to launch a formal campaign began in 2019, but due to the pandemic all efforts were paused. At the beginning of 2022, we officially launched the quiet phase of the Building Community Campaign.

During Phase I of our Master Facilities and Grounds Plan, an integrated STEAM Center will be added north of the gymnasium and Centennial Arts Center (CAC). Click on the arrows below to learn more about the new STEAM Center, which will include upgraded classrooms for science, woodshop, and drama; increased accessibility and safety; and improvements to our overall campus configuration.

Building Explorers (Science)

Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, & Math at Community School

While STEAM may be a new acronym for some, it is nothing new at Community. Students are immersed in the areas of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math as they are woven into the curricula for those as young as age three.

At Community, we encourage students to actively engage with science through the exploration of nature on our campus, by participating in lab experiments, and by exploring technology through robotics. Our previous science facilities were outdated and limited in terms of their size and storage. These deficiencies often led to congestion in movement, stalled learning time for students, or challenges when setting up labs for multiple classes simultaneously.

As a part of this campaign, distinct upper and lower division classrooms will be added as well as collaboration areas. In this space, teachers will be able to better circulate as students work on projects and will be able to cover more curriculum quicker as labs will be set up and stored in advance of each class. In the new collaboration areas, students will now have space to actively engage with science such as having new exploratory areas for each unit or room to work and store ongoing robotic projects.

Accessibility

The science labs will now be joined to the Big Building, making it accessible by the newly upgraded elevator, and will no longer require students and teachers to travel outdoors between classes or to use stairs. The upgraded labs will now be wheelchair accessible and allow greater workspace for students of all learning styles.

Building Critical Thinkers (Woodshop)

Woodshop at Community School

Providing room for ideas to take shape. As one of the unique courses within Community School, woodshop is often an especially memorable class for students. From as early as senior kindergarten, students grow their skills in woodworking, making ideas come to life over the course of the year.

In woodshop, students gain the confidence, ability, and skills to tackle tough problems with their hands and minds. In a world where instant gratification is the norm, woodworking provides an opportunity for students to slow down and work deliberately with their hands. For many students, their projects will take months to complete. As projects take shape over the course of the year, students are taught the importance of planning, patience, and problem-solving.

As a part of this campaign, the new classroom will have two distinct spaces — one for working with power tools and another for direct instruction and working with hand tools. This division of space will enhance safety by isolating all power tools and will limit exposure to dust for students. By doubling the space of this classroom, students and teachers will have greater flexibility and mobility, and the opportunity to explore even grander ideas.

Accessibility

The new woodshop space will be located in the Big Building directly across from the new drama room, and adjacent to display areas and an outdoor courtyard. With the reconfiguration of the main hallway, this room will be easier to access and will be expanded to provide greater mobility between work stations.

Building Confident Leaders (Drama)

Drama at Community School

At Community School, the arts are integrated into all core curricula, helping to reinforce concepts learned across all other classes. From in-class skits to elaborate productions, drama curriculum encourages collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking.

Beginning in junior kindergarten, students participate in annual performances and learn the importance of character development, vocal projection, and stage presence. Each year the stories performed by students weave in themes of social impact, culture, and important historical events. Through these performances, students are pushed out of their comfort zone and encouraged to try new things.

The current drama classroom will be renovated to serve as a new storage center to house all costumes and props for productions. A new drama classroom will be added to allow students the space to immerse themselves in finding their character or working on ongoing projects. In this new space, the floor will be tiled and sinks will be installed to allow students to get messy and be creative while painting sets and prop pieces.

Accessibility

In the new drama classroom, students will now have the space to fully immerse themselves in their characters. In addition, a new ADA accessible bathroom will be added near the Centennial Arts Center to service our students and all families that attend our performances or assemblies.

In This Section

Campaign Story

Building Explorers (Science)

Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, & Math at Community School

Accessibility

Building Critical Thinkers (Woodshop)

Woodshop at Community School

Accessibility

Building Confident Leaders (Drama)

Drama at Community School

Accessibility

In This Section