Jones Elementary School built for 150 students, had been serving a growing community since 1956. Anne Arundel County Public Schools needed to increase capacity and accommodate significant changes in educational curriculum. With architect SHW Group, Inc., the Owner decided to add to the existing building, and demolish all interior spaces to prepare for larger classrooms.

The new, $5 million facility, which now accommodates 300 students, incorporates campus-wide technology, art room, science room, computer lab, music rooms, gymnasium, special education, and a health suite. The existing building skin was removed, and a new brick exterior built to give the appearance of a brand new school.

Renovation/addition projects often have hidden conditions. In this case, the footings of the existing building had to be undercut and recompacted to accommodate the additions. We worked closely with the testing agency to achieve the best methods for undercutting in the most cost-effective manner given the expansive area to be disturbed.

Completed six months ahead of schedule, the renovations and additions have improved the school’s aesthetic value and created a more dynamic learning environment.