Meiklejohn Elementary School
Construction Overview
In November 2004, Jefferson County voters approved a bond election providing Jeffco Public Schools with $323.8 million for building, renovating and repairing school facilities. This was the first time voters had approved increased funding for county school buildings since 1999.
With the guidance of the Citizens' Capital Oversight Committee, the district developed a list of 440 capital improvement projects scheduled to be completed over the next six years.
The $11,475 million, 68,300 square foot Meiklejohn Elementary School is designed to accommodate 768 students. The facility, which was completed in 2006, includes 28 general classrooms in a two-story classroom wing, four kindergarten classrooms, a gymnasium, art and music rooms, a library information center and a full-service kitchen with a cafeteria. The school is designed to be environmentally friendly, with natural light reaching into each classroom.
The site is located with the Five Parks neighborhood on a 12.5 acre school/park shared with the City of Arvada. The external architecture has specifically been designed to a "village" theme to compliment the character of the neighborhood. This theme was also applied to the site while incorporating the curriculum to create a learning landscape.
The playground theme reflects the historical development of the Town of Arvada, which is based on prospecting, the railroad and agriculture. The Colorado Central Railroad brought trains into Arvada Village twice a day in the 1870's after early settlers found the area favorable for gold panning and farming. Also highlighted is the "Around the Circle" train tour once offered in the state which passed travelers by significant geologic features of the Colorado landscape, such as the Black Canyon of Gunnison and the Royal Gorge. Highlighting the history of the site and the state increases the learning value and overall fun of the playground. Theme elements include a train track walk, a timeline of Arvada , creative play pad striping such as number grids and agricultural crops labeled bilingually, and state features sandblasted into the walkway. Other elements include an outdoor classroom, a human sundial plaza and banner poles with establishment dates and site elevations on colorful vertical elements.
The site will also accommodate staff and visitor parking, student drop-off drives, play fields, asphalt court games and age separated play equipment. The school will offer after hours access to the gym, cafeteria and library. Careful attention was given to the planted areas to minimize water needs, but to also match the planting character of the neighborhood. The irrigation is designed in two systems to accommodate both current and future needs of the shared school/park site.