Chestnut Hill Elementary School Modernization

In 2010, the Liverpool Central School District Board of Education proposed a plan to close both the Chestnut Hill Elementary and Middle School. The buildings’ age and poor condition prompted the district’s Long-Range Facilities Committee to propose closing the complex as part of its long-range plan in 2010. Ultimately, the Board opted to keep the schools open and pursue the substantial renovation of both buildings to maintain the District’s neighborhood schools. 

The transformation creates a welcoming and fun environment for the elementary students to learn and explore. Not only does the renovation elevate the facility to a modern learning environment, but it also was done in such a way to honor the existing architectural elements and history of the building and context. The pre-design investigates revealed that the Chestnut tree is a prominent symbol unique to the elementary and adjacent middle school. Celebrating this icon by form and material throughout the space was an important aspect of the design.

Built in 1956, these are the first significant renovations the buildings have seen besides undergoing roof replacements and minor fixes. Scope of work included: classrooms, kitchen, library & gymnasium renovations, roofing replacement, flooring replacement, ceilings replacement, lockers replacement, security improvements (door hardware, alert buttons, public address system, and fire alarm system), ADA accessible toilets and hardware installed, and HVAC / Electrical / Plumbing Upgrades and Improvements.

With a newly rebuilt elementary school, students now have access to robust technology, flexible furniture, and improved learning environments to greatly improve educational delivery and outcomes for students. "As we continue to focus on what we're doing on with common core learning standards and next generation standards for education, we need to make sure that we have learning spaces that are really adaptable to what students need to make them contributing members of society late on in life," said Mark Potter, Liverpool Central School District Superintendent.