The Stillwater Area School District in Lake Elmo, Minnesota, has partnered with Kraus-Anderson Construction Company to carry out four major construction projects. The funding for these projects comes from a $175 million referendum passed by voters in November 2023. The construction efforts will include replacing Lake Elmo and Andersen Elementary Schools, expanding Oak-Land Middle School, and renovating Stillwater Area High School.

The new Lake Elmo Elementary, which will be 150,000 square feet, will feature 53 flexible classrooms, breakout areas for group work, and specialized spaces for music, art, media, and special education. Outdoor amenities will include two kickball fields, playground areas, and parking lots designed for smooth traffic flow. "This new school will be a state-of-the-art facility designed to foster collaboration and creativity in students," said district representatives.

A replacement facility for Andersen Elementary, which will be named Bayport Elementary, will span 98,000 square feet and will include classroom pods, a learning commons, a cafeteria, a gym, and a storm shelter for safety. "Bayport Elementary is designed to create a flexible, collaborative learning environment for our students," the release states.

At Oak-Land Middle School, 64,699 square feet will be added to accommodate a new gym and additional classrooms. The existing gym will be repurposed into a media center, while the former media center will be transformed into administration offices. "We’re thrilled to provide these necessary updates to Oak-Land Middle, as it has long been an important part of our community," said school officials.

Finally, Stillwater Area High School will undergo a 10,910-square-foot renovation, including an office addition and upgrades to the gymnasium, floors, ceilings, roofing, and various interior partitions. "This renovation will allow us to better serve our students and staff with modern, functional spaces," the school district said.

Wold Architects and Engineers are providing design services for the projects, and construction is expected to be completed by August 2025. The new and improved facilities will provide students with enhanced learning environments and improve overall community access to education facilities.

The district’s partnership with Kraus-Anderson promises to bring these projects to life and ensure that they meet the needs of the growing student population. "We’re committed to delivering these projects on time and within budget, and we’re excited to see the positive impact they will have on our schools," said representatives from Kraus-Anderson.

The projects are part of a broader vision to modernize education spaces in the district and provide high-quality learning environments for years to come. As construction progresses, the district will continue to provide updates to the community and ensure minimal disruption during the building phases.

Originally reported by Matt Jones in Spaces 4 Learning.