Grand Forks Public School District #140 operates Nathan Twining K-8 School (Twining School) on the Grand Forks Air Force Base (GFAFB). Twining School serves over 300 students in Grades PreK-8, 100% of which are military connected. Working alongside the District, the DODEA conducted a Facility Condition Assessment that identified capacity and condition deficiencies and prioritized Twining School for a Public Schools on Military Installation (PMSI) program grant, which splits project costs 80:20 between federal and local sources. As part of the grant proposal process JLG led an all-day community workshop and legislator open house aimed at gathering input for a future replacement school.
Twining’s goal is to celebrate the values of military personnel while providing an enhanced quality of life and future-ready learning environment. The new Twining school is planned to be approximately 110,000 SF, with capacity for 500 students in grades PreK-8, including new athletic fields, parking, and drop-off lanes. The site will be reconfigured to include secure entryways and distinct Learning Neighborhoods for Early Childhood, K-5, 6-8, Fine Arts, and STEM centers.
Support for STEM programming is a key element to the future Twining K-8 School as a way to in support of local career pathways through large, flexible labs designed for evolving curriculum needs and adaptable furnishings. JLG’s proposed design includes energy-efficient elements that meet LEED Silver requirements, and is exploring Net Zero Ready building systems, including geothermal solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, high performance windows, LED fixtures, enhanced access to natural light, and a robust building envelope.
The building becomes a teaching tool at Twining through interactive displays and exposed systems that demonstrates real-time building information, such as energy and water use, temperature and humidity, and indoor air quality. While celebrating the history of GFAFB, Twining will provide a global perspective, sustainable teaching tool, and hands-on learning environment that develops future leaders.
