Wold Architects and Engineers, a national architecture and engineering firm with extensive K-12 education design expertise and a local office in Denver, has announced the official opening of Rocky Ford PK-12, a new consolidated school for Rocky Ford School District R-2. District officials and community leaders attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 24 to celebrate the grand opening.
Wold led the design of the major addition and renovation of Rocky Ford High School to convert it into a PK-12 facility. The project unifies the district in a state-of-the-art educational environment with distinct age-appropriate spaces easily accessible from a shared core. The modernized campus consolidates Washington Primary School and Jefferson Intermediate into one space that supports a collaborative, hands-on approach to learning.
“We are thrilled to open the doors of this new school, which will serve as a beacon of learning and success for our students from preschool up through high school,” said Kermit Snyder, superintendent of Rocky Ford School District R-2. “This building represents years of hard work and dedication from our team and our partners at Wold Architects and Engineers, and we are excited to see our students thrive in this unified learning space for many years.”
The completion of the unified school is the result of a long-term collaboration between Wold and Rocky Ford School District R-2. At both Washington Primary School and Jefferson Intermediate, most of the building systems and finishes were 65-70 years old, and after thorough assessments of the existing facilities, Wold identified looming safety concerns, failing mechanical systems and various facility improvements that needed to be made to ensure a safe and productive learning environment. Following a thorough master planning process and a successful effort to secure a Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) grant, Wold was hired to support the design and construction process to help realize the district’s goals for a future-forward educational facility.
Focused on flexibility and technology integration, the design supports the district’s vision for modern learning spaces that meet the diverse needs of students of all ages. With the support of Fransen Pittman Construction and NV5 Owner’s Representatives, the renovation includes new classroom wings for Pre-K through kindergarten and grades 1-6 along with a junior high school wing for grades 7 and 8. Additional spaces include a new media center, maker space, kitchen, art and music rooms, auxiliary gym, student support spaces and a district and school administrative center. The project also included the installation of new HVAC systems in the existing high school and competition gym, the replacement of roofs on all existing spaces and a renovation and expansion of the cafeteria.
“It has been an honor to work alongside Rocky Ford School District R-2 to bring the vision for this new learning environment to life,” said Josh Grenier, AIA, M.ED, Principal at Wold. “Our partnerships with district leaders and educators have been productive and meaningful, and we have worked with perseverance and determination to support the district’s goals. As a local firm, we’re committed to transforming spaces into innovative learning environments for all ages and look forward to how this new school fosters community and pride for Rocky Ford’s students, staff and families for years to come.”
For more information about the new school and Rocky Ford School District R-2, please visit www.rockyfordk12.org.
