RUSHTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | NEW CONSTRUCTION
Location: sHAWNEE mISSION School District
Size: 75,000 SF
cost: $20,500,000
Rushton Elementary School first opened in 1954 and currently serves over 350 students in K-6. To gain a complete understanding of what would make Rushton Elementary School a successful educational space for students to learn challenging, engaging curriculum in a safe, orderly environment, iDS organized six visioning meetings with Rushton staff and community members. Each visioning meeting had a different focus, from asking the initial important questions: “What will make this building a success?”, “What are you afraid to lose as you transition to a new building?”, and “What does innovative learning look like?” To overall exterior and interior design feedback as the drawings progress.
With a focus on growth, community and mindfulness, the design incorporates flexible classrooms and seating with multi-use furniture to encourage creativity and collaboration, natural light, interaction with outdoor space and hands-on learning, as well as social-emotional learning resources and sensory learning.
The new building opened in August 2024. The school has an ideal capacity of 400 students with a maximum capacity of 500 students. A smooth transition from the 68-year-old building to the new Rushton Elementary School was at the forefront of this project to ensure minimal disruption for students and staff.