The Neenan Company, a fully integrated design-build firm based in Colorado, has completed Mapleton Public Schools’ Global Schools project. The metro Denver project features the school district’s International Baccalaureate (IB) authorized family of schools – separated into three schools – plus the district’s Mapleton Arts Center.
Located at the district’s Broadway Campus at I-25 and U.S. 36 at 7480 North Broadway, the project broke ground in 2017 with a phased approach for all four facilities, recently celebrating the full completion. The district’s Broadway Campus is also home to its Big Picture College & Career Academy and Mapleton’s administrative offices, for which Neenan previously led the renovation’s design and construction.
“The Broadway Campus was thoughtfully and intentionally designed to support our students during every stage of their unique academic journeys, from preschool to high school,” said Superintendent of Schools Charlotte Ciancio. The Global Schools replaced the nearly 60-year-old school building that originally opened as John Dewey Middle School. The teachings and innovative educational philosophies of John Dewey are reflected in each building. “The project perfectly captures the physical representation of our mission – to guarantee that all students can achieve their dreams and contribute enthusiastically to their community, country and world.”
As a PYP and MYP authorized IB family of schools, Global students have access to rigorous academic content in a foreign language, coding and technology, physical education, visual arts and performing arts. The design concept for the campus focuses on creating a comfortable, village-like environment fostering consistency and familiarity through the students’ pre-kindergarten to high school experience, embodying the district’s “small-by-design” approach. The four new buildings each have specific outdoor architectural features surrounding a central field creating a flexible framework for school activities, outdoor classrooms and community events.
The campus’ Global Primary Academy serves pre-kindergarten through third-grade students, as well as a toddler program for one- and two-year-old children. The 42,000-square-foot, two-story school accommodates 300 students and is designed to support the educational needs of Mapleton’s youngest learners. The school’s library is located at the center of the building and features a treehouse-style loft to create an engaging and comforting space for learning. Pre-kindergarten classes have dedicated spaces and playgrounds specially designed to accommodate children of this age and learning level.
The Global Intermediate Academy serves about 350 students from fourth through eighth grades in a 46,000-square-foot, two-story building. The facility houses a comprehensive two-level library serving all students on the Broadway Campus, plus a design technology lab. Each grade level is co-located in its own ‘neighborhood’ within the school, with breakout spaces designed for student collaboration outside of the physical classrooms.
The Global Leadership Academy serves 400 students in ninth through twelfth grades. The 65,000-square-foot, three-story school includes a competition gymnasium and artificial turf soccer field. The Broadway Campus also features recreational fields, playgrounds and basketball courts, designed for student and community use.
The campus is also home to the Mapleton Art Center, open to all students across the district. The 30,000-square-foot Mapleton Arts Center includes an auditorium with seating for 900, classrooms, practice space and features professional-level acoustic designs. Known for its robust performing arts program, Mapleton offers the full spectrum: drama, orchestra, band, choir, color guard, mariachi and jazz band.
“We began the master plan for the Broadway Campus in 2005. It is beyond rewarding to see more than 15 years of our focus, energy, creativity and thoughtful planning result in an environment where students will thrive throughout their educational journey,” said Joe Glaze, project executive with The Neenan Company. “We consider the Broadway Campus a legacy project for our team. It signifies the core of what we strive to achieve at Neenan: fostering partnership with our clients while delivering unique solutions to solve complex community needs.”
The Neenan Company has a long history with Mapleton Public Schools, previously serving as the design-build partner for 17 school projects with the district since 2005. Also located on the Broadway Campus, in 2017 Neenan completed Mapleton’s Big Picture College & Career Academy – a high school providing an early college focus – as well as the IDEA Lab – a project-based learning center – and the district’s administrative offices. The Neenan Company has also completed several bond campaigns, master plans, renovations, additions and new facilities since 2005.
