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Prospect Valley Elementary School

Wheat Ridge, Colorado
Efficient Design for a Growing School

Prospect Valley Elementary School replaces the existing facility with a modern learning environment designed to support both current needs and future growth in Wheat Ridge. The new building provides additional classroom space while allowing room for expansion as enrollment evolves. At the heart of the design is a highly efficient floor plan that organizes core community spaces centrally, reinforcing the school’s strong sense of connection. Breakout spaces are distributed throughout the building to support flexible learning, and intentional connections to the outdoors create opportunities for exploration and engagement beyond the classroom.

Size

62,802 GSF

Scope

  • New Construction
Gardner Clute
Gardner Clute
Specifications Writer
MOA ARCHITECTURE

“I love seeing the kids play in the circle windows at the entrance—it’s such a simple design element, but it brings so much life and joy to the building. Watching students interact with the space as they arrive makes the school feel playful, welcoming, and truly designed with children in mind.”

Inspired by Community and Playfulness

The design reflects the energy and identity of an elementary school community. Playful elements, including circular windows and bright pops of color, enliven the façade and create a welcoming presence for students and families. The library media center becomes a defining feature, with large glass walls that act as a beacon, clearly marking the entrance and inviting the community inside. These design choices balance functionality with a sense of joy, creating spaces that encourage curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. The result is an environment that supports learning while celebrating the spirit of childhood.

A multipurpose commons space with long cafeteria tables and benches, large glazed overhead doors opening to adjacent learning areas, patterned resilient flooring, wood‑slat ceiling panels, and colorful wall artwork framing the circulation zone.
Prospect Valley Elementary School with a recessed main entrance beneath a wood‑clad canopy, brick and light‑colored exterior walls, large glazed windows at the corner, circular accent windows near the entry, and school signage mounted on the facade.
Built for Flexibility and Long-Term Impact

The site and building orientation respond to both immediate constraints and long-term opportunities. The design allowed the existing facility to remain operational during construction while addressing a significant grade change across the site. By embedding a two-story classroom wing into the hillside, the building navigates the terrain efficiently and minimizes disruption. The site plan also preserves space for a future classroom wing and allows existing classrooms to transition into a pre-K program. This thoughtful planning ensures the school can adapt over time, supporting students and the broader community for years to come.

A library entry area within Prospect Valley Elementary School featuring double doors, built‑in bench seating set into wall niches with colorful mural artwork, patterned flooring, and exposed ceiling structure.
A school gymnasium with a wood sports floor marked for multiple courts, wall‑mounted basketball hoops, acoustic wall panels in alternating colors, high windows along the perimeter, and exposed roof structure with suspended lighting.
A multipurpose commons space with long cafeteria tables and benches, large glazed overhead doors opening to adjacent learning areas, patterned resilient flooring, wood‑slat ceiling panels, and colorful wall artwork framing the circulation zone.
A school corridor with built‑in bench seating, colorful mural artwork recessed into wall niches, patterned resilient flooring, exposed structure and ductwork overhead, and linear circulation connecting adjacent classrooms and activity spaces.
A library reading area with low book shelving, child‑scale tables and seating, circular accent windows set into an interior wall, large perimeter glazing, patterned carpet flooring, and suspended circular light fixtures.
A school library learning space with low book shelving along the walls, grouped tables and child‑scale seating, a teaching wall with display screen and whiteboard, patterned carpet tiles, and circular pendant lights beneath a high ceiling.
Prospect Valley Elementary School with a low‑profile academic building, a glazed main entrance, brick and light‑colored exterior walls, school signage at the entry, and an open paved plaza with seating and landscaping.
Prospect Valley Elementary School with a recessed main entrance beneath a wood‑clad canopy, brick and light‑colored exterior walls, large glazed windows at the corner, circular accent windows near the entry, and school signage mounted on the facade.
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414 14th St. Suite 300
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259 South Center St. Suite 206
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