Washington Elementary School

WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SCHILLER PARK, ILLINOIS

The central Media Center features a learning stair amphitheater for large group presentations. Multiple nooks and adjacent spaces provide access to differentiated learning.

There are quiet spaces for personalized independent learning. The slide descending from the second floor is a subtle reminder that this is a place for children. It supports the vision for creating a playful, joyful, and happy learning environment.

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GYMNASIUM / STORM SHELTER

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LEARNING NEIGHBORHOOD

MEDIA CENTER

CAFETERIA COMMON SPACES LEARNING NEIGHBORHOODS STAFF + ITINERANT HISTORICAL SOCIETY

FIRST FLOOR PLAN

ADMINISTRATION

SELF-CONTAINED CLASSROOMS

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS: HISTORICAL SOCIETY An innovative “Museum-in-Residence” Program creates space for the local Historical Commission, further connecting the community to the school and students.

GUIDING ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PRINCIPLES • Sense of Self/Identity/Individualization/ Personalization to students • Connectivity/Collaborative • Happy/Creative/Joyful • Problem Solving/Critical Thinking/ Motivating and Inspirational for ProblemSolving • Community • Flexibility

To learn more about the transformational instructional strategies happening in Schiller Park School Distrct 81, please scan the QR-Code to view research condected by NWEA.

“The Media Center should be the heart of active engagement and exploration” -Visioning Input from Kay Speck, 4th Grade Teacher at Washington

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LEARNING NEIGHBORHOOD

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LEARNING NEIGHBORHOOD

READING ROOMS

COMMON SPACES LEARNING NEIGHBORHOODS STAFF + ITINERANT

SECOND FLOOR PLAN

OUTDOOR CLASSROOM

MUSIC STAFF ITINERANT ROOMS

TOP DESIGN PATTERN PRIORITIES • Shared Learning Resources • Biophilia • Integrated Technology/Blended Learning • Extended Learning Spaces • Anywhere, Anytime Learning • Flexible Furniture • Student Display/Exhibition Space • Classroom Zones • Learning Neighborhoods • Transparency and Visible Learning

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LEARNING HUB HOME ROOM

HOME ROOM

HOME ROOM

LEARNING HUB

TYPICAL LEARNING NEIGHBORHOOD

HOME ROOM

Each Learning Neighborhood is a central, flexible Learning Hub surrounded by four Learning Studios.

• Learning Studios are the more intimate Home Rooms of the students, featuring varied flexible furnishings to support student-choice and multiple modes of learning.

• The Learning Hub is flexible to support project-based learning and maker space functions.

• The Home Rooms and Learning Hubs promote independent, student-centered learning. Transparency enhances the sense of connectivity prioritized during the Visioning Process.

• An operable garage door between the Learning Hubs and Media Center allows learning to permeate into the heart of the school.

©2026 DLA ARCHITECTS, LTD.

HOME ROOM

PROJECT DATA

Occupancy: 4th & 5th Grade; 350 Students Size of Site: 3.29 acres Building Area: 68,000 SF Opening Date: August 2022 Owner: Schiller Park School District 81 Architect: DLA Architects, Ltd. Contractor: Bulley & Andrews Structural: Pease Borst & Associates LLC MEP: Berg Engineering Consultants, Ltd. Civil: WT Group Landscape: Hitchcock Design Group Food Service: Edge Associates, Inc. Audio & Visual: Hamilton AV Design Acoustics: Soundscape Engineering LLC