The new, state-of-the-art Maple Grove Elementary School supports a balanced curriculum focused on skills development, academic excellence, and social and physical well-being. The proposed two-storey solution includes five learning pods, each with three classrooms, as well as a sixth pod with five classrooms; these pods infold a generous library at the heart of the school. Pod configurations nurture formal and informal communities while optimizing sight lines for supervision and introducing greater variety to and flexibility in the teaching environment. A robust technology fit-out supports new, digitally-based curricular models.

Great care was taken during the planning stages to create a safe, healthy site that is highly accessible and intuitive with strategies to mitigate traffic congestions and increase the quality of outdoor spaces. To facilitate pick-up, drop-off and circulation, three separate entrances are introduced – a main entrance along the primary thoroughfare, a second off the teacher’s parking lot and a third into the kindergarten division. The new gymnasium and multi-purpose room will frame the main entrance to accommodate after-hours facilities rentals. Outdoor education and recreation programs will benefit from improved indoor-outdoor access as well as new spaces for sport, play and seasonal gardening.

Sustainability is an important part of the building program. While ample daylighting and healthy building materials create a quality indoor environment for occupants, efficiencies in building systems design and didactic displays encourage environmental stewardship.

SHAPE Architecture in association with Montgomery Sisam Architects