In the school sector, increasing enrollment is always the goal. But as more kids flood the hallways and classrooms, it can quickly become difficult to find space for everyone. The lack of infrastructure, paired with the ever-changing needs of students and staff, can put a strain on even the largest of private or public schools.
That’s where expansions come in. School expansions can help remedy overcrowding by creating more spaces for learning. They reduce class sizes and allow for a wider range of course offerings, specialized programs, and extracurriculars. This, in turn, can help improve academic performance and overall student well-being.
But while it’s easy to recognize the benefits of a school expansion, it’s hard to know where to begin. At Jos. Schmitt Construction, we’ve had the pleasure of working on countless educational projects during our time in the industry. Here’s how we recommend you effectively approach a school expansion.
How to Successfully Expand Private Schools
1. Consider School Goals
Every school is different, which means there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all plan when it comes to expansions. Consider the long-term and short-term goals of the school—what do you want to accomplish in one year, five years, ten years, or more?
Is your goal to increase reading comprehension? Then you may want to consider spending extra money developing the library or building classrooms that have reading corners. Do you want to create a stronger sense of community within the student body? Then make sure to include more common spaces in your plans. It’s not always just about meeting the immediate needs of increased enrollment. It’s also about taking the time to consider the long-term effects that the expansion can have.
2. Define the Project
Before any expansion can begin (not just a school expansion), it’s important to clearly define the scope of the project. Take the time to outline details both big and small, such as budget, timeline, community impact, and project team members—doing so will help give a clear sense of direction early on, and ensure that everyone is on the same page about what’s about to happen. Communication is key to any successful construction project!
Assess the scope and complexity of the project, and be honest about what is and is not possible. For example, if you want to redo your sports field, depending on your budget, you may have enough to update the bleachers but not replace the goal posts. Determine what will be included and what may need to be excluded.
3. Form a Committee
While it’s important to involve all stakeholders in a school expansion project, there should also be a core team of representatives. Also known as a “steering committee”, this group will be the ones who ultimately make decisions regarding the project and communicate with contractors.
Ever heard of having too many cooks in a kitchen? The same goes for construction planning—too many voices weighing in at once can create confusion and cause directions to get lost in translation. Having a dedicated team will help streamline the process and provide clarity between the boardroom and the job site.
4. Use Existing Spaces
The unfortunate reality is that, at the end of the day, you must work within the confines of your budget. In some instances, the budget is small, and what you want to do and what you can afford to do are two vastly different things. If this is the case, then you may need to be imaginative with some of the spaces you already have.
Look at areas around the school that may be underutilized. For example, a gymnasium may not need to be made bigger—it may just need a few movable partitions to allow for a greater variety of use. There might not need to be two new classrooms added for the science club and yearbook club to use. Instead, one room can be split into two by adding a wall. By getting creative, you can still accomplish your expansion goals without breaking the bank.
5. Make Room for Technology
Classroom technology is no longer a luxury—it’s a requirement. However, technology can only be used as a successful tool for learning if the school is designed to allow for it. This means that your expansion plans should include dedicated areas for tech. Examples of this could include enhanced Wi-Fi access in classrooms, additional outlets or device charging ports, or smart boards.
There should also be places for students to store their technology when they’re doing learning or activities that don’t require it. Technology is always changing, and while you can’t predict the future, it’s important to try to design these spaces in a way that’s easy to adapt to potential future advancements.
6. Prioritize Flexibility
In any project, there are things that don’t always go according to plan, and you need to be open to pivoting and making changes. For example, you may have wanted to build extra classrooms, a recreation center, and a fitness facility, all before school starts in the fall. However, you might discover that you don’t have the time or resources to make that all happen at once.
In this instance, you will want to consider phasing the project. The classrooms and recreation centers can be started over the summer, but the fitness facility might have to wait until next spring. Identify the most important areas, and let the rest fall where it may. Trying to force a project when it isn’t the right time will just result in an outcome you won’t be happy with.
7. Never Forget Safety
Safety, especially on a school project, is important in more ways than one. First and foremost, when you’re preparing for an expansion, it’s critical that you never forget safety features. Your plan should always include elements that deter and detect criminals (such as security cameras) and allow first responders to quickly get inside and locate a threat if needed (such as hallways with clear sightlines).
You also want to consider student safety when the actual expansion is taking place. School can’t always be closed for the entirety of the project, and there will likely be students and staff around the job site. To protect them from physical harm, you will want plans in place that prevent them from accessing the site or equipment.
Contact Jos. Schmitt Construction for Your Next Public or Private School Expansion
At Jos. Schmitt Construction, we have decades of experience working on school expansions and understand the importance of creating state-of-the-art, student-centered spaces. We want to help our clients create educational environments that inspire, innovate, and endure, allowing for the generations of students that follow to be set up for success.
Contact us today if you want to learn more about how we can help with your public or private school expansion. With our team of experts at your side, it’s never been easier to meet your school’s growing needs.
