VLK Architects and LCISD Open District's First New Prototype Elementary
(Richmond, TX) – August 27th marked the first day of school for Lamar CISD’s newest elementary campus, Don Carter Elementary School. VLK Architects worked diligently with LCISD, designing the first of the district’s new prototype elementary schools. The 94,978 SF building will house up to 750 students in grades PreK-5.
The new campus design features a long central corridor with administration, fine arts, rooms for special programs, a media center, gym, cafeteria, and large group instruction spaces. Six classroom pods break off of the main shared corridor, divided by grade level. Each grade level pod has its own special programs room as well as collaboration spaces and restrooms centralized for use by each classroom. Students will easily be able to identify their grade level pod based on wall accents, flooring, and furniture selections color-coded for each section of the school.
Safety and security attributes were a priority when developing this prototype campus. Outdoor learning courtyards were strategically placed with secured fences between classroom pods. Separate parent and bus drop-off areas control traffic flow and make it easier to monitor students arriving and departing each day. The building was also designed with a secure main entry near the administration space.
“VLK and Lamar Consolidated ISD partnered to create an innovative and collaborative campus for Carter Elementary,” said VLK Architects Partner, Todd J. Lien. “We are excited about this new prototype design and the opportunities it will bring to teachers and students of LCISD.”