Laramie County School District in Cheyenne, Wyoming is experiencing capacity issues from a mandate to lower student-teacher ratios and responding with the addition of a new 5/6 school, designed and constructed in partnership with JLG Architects, FDL Consulting, and Elske Architecture. The school will accommodate 650 students in 2 grade levels with 14 sections each. Seven classroom clusters will share a common space for flexible learning. The design incorporates multiple layers of security as well as open handwashing areas outside of toilet rooms to reduce bullying.
As a prototype, the school includes several thoughtful adjustments, most notably improved access to daylight, special education, media center, and administration space. This was achieved by relocating the media center and special education areas to exterior walls, rather than placing them centrally.