North Star Elementary
Virginia, Minnesota
Project Highlight
The context of the new Virginia Elementary School differs from its counterparts on the southern edge of town. Where the High School and Eveleth-Gilbert Elementary are surrounded by natural landscape, Virginia Elementary sits in the heart of Virginia. The location creates an opportunity to become a community resource for the downtown neighborhood and local business district. A space that serves as a transformative educational environment during the day, and opportunity for extended play and community gathering in the evenings and weekends. Bringing an element of the school forest landscape to downtown Virginia.
Client
Rock Ridge Public Schools
Type
New Construction
Completion Date
Summer 2024
Architect of Record
Cuningham
BNDRY Studio Roles
Pre-referendum Planning, Programming, and Design
Context
The site of the New Virginia Elementary sits on the border between the neighborhood to the south and the business to the north. Positioned to take advantage of the adjacent resources as community partnerships and serves as a public green space.
Educational Model
The concept of the Learning Neighborhood model breaks down the school into smaller learning hubs. The Learning at Virginia Elementary embraces a more open and connected concept, that fosters a strong sense of active and project based learning.