Glenside Elementary School
Replacing a community landmark
While the 50-year-old Glenside Elementary School held strong sentimental value in the neighborhood, decades of wear took their toll.
Failing mechanical systems, uninsulated roof and wall assemblies, and poor indoor air quality required action. After running thorough cost estimates for renovations and additions versus new construction, the board determined that building new was the most fiscally responsible path forward.
Creative site adaptation + swing space
Because the district had already arranged off-site swing space for students during construction, crews completely demolished the legacy facility and built the replacement school directly on its original footprint.
The project team modified the sloped 10-acre site to optimize building orientation, dramatically improve parent and bus circulation loops, and add much-needed on-site parking.
Age-appropriate layout for 500 students
Designed for 500 students in full-day kindergarten through fourth grade, the replacement building provides four dedicated classrooms per grade level alongside a gymnasium, media center, cafetorium, and administrative suite.
The floor plan groups younger K–2 students on the main floor and places grades 3–4 on the second level, minimizing congestion and keeping age groups focused in their own learning environments.
Daylight-driven, flexible green design
Engineered for long-term versatility, the building features several large-group instruction spaces equipped with operable partitions for quick small-group breakouts.
The main two-story academic wing uses an East-West orientation to flood classrooms with natural daylight while reducing solar heat gain. Sustainable materials and an energy-efficient water-source heat pump system round out the cost-saving environmental upgrades.
