WELCOME TO STEEL VALLEY ELEMENTARY

The new, two-story elementary school has been designed with modern education, accessibility, and safety needs in mind. From state-of-the-art classrooms and flexible learning centers to specialized classrooms that enable behavioral, speech, and reading specialists to work individually or in small groups with students who need higher levels of support to public areas like the gymnasium, cafeteria, and library/media center that will be able to host community events, the school is equipped with all of the resources necessary to serve as a modern community education center.

Before we take a tour of the interior of the building, check out this virtual tour of the Steel Valley Elementary exterior and campus.

PUBLIC SPACES FOR SCHOOL EVENTS AND COMMUNITY USE

The design of the school separates several public spaces that can be used by approved school and community groups after hours from the classroom spaces teachers and students will occupy during the school day.

Upon entering the school through the secure main entrance, the lobby provides access to the core areas of the building – the academic wing, gymnasium, the cafeteria, administrative offices, nurse’s suite, and community conference room. The lobby includes a stairwell to the second floor, which includes access to the academic wing and to the library/media center.

All visitors during the school day will go through a security vestibule, where they’ll be cleared for entry by school security. They will then enter the administrative suite, which will include principial offices, a conference room, workroom/mailroom, and a reception area. Guidance counselors will be able to move between the administrative suite and the academic wing, and the administrative suite will be connected to the nurse’s suite.

The gymnasium doubles as an auditorium and has the capacity to seat 800 students or spectators for special events. The gymnasium is equipped with LED projectors and screens, a modern sound system, and additional technology features for special events. It is competition sized to allow for maximum utilization by both school and community organizations.

INSIDE THE ACADEMIC WING

Modern education requires teachers to be flexible. From one-on-one instruction to small groups to activities involving multiple classrooms, educators need to be able to reach students in multiple ways. The new elementary school is designed to meet those challenges in the academic wing.

Every grade level has six dedicated classrooms, with flexibility to shuffle classrooms depending on enrollment. Each classroom is equipped with all of the necessities for a modern educational environment, from smartboards for lessons to customizable seating to flexible set-ups for group learning.

Kindergarten, first grade, and second grade will occupy the first floor with six classrooms apiece. The first floor of the academic wing also includes two activity/learning centers, nine dedicated classrooms for special education students, two sets of student bathrooms, and teacher offices. The hallways include locker lobbies for first and second grade students. Kindergarten students have cubbies in their classrooms.

The second floor mirrors the first, with six classrooms for third, fourth, and fifth grade students, dedicated classrooms for special education students, two sets of student bathrooms, teacher offices, and locker lobbies. Both floors of the academic wing connect to the public wing.

There are dedicated learning spaces for art and music classes. The art space includes a storage room for supplies and a kiln room. The music room is adjacent to the gymnasium for general music instruction and will enable students to undergo individual and ensemble lessons.

There are also dedicated activity centers throughout the academic wing that accommodate multiple classes of students in a variety of configurations for different lessons. These rooms are equipped with technology and communication equipment to supplement activities.

Special education students who require a higher level of individualized or small group support have dedicated classrooms to meet their needs, with resources for autistic support, life skills, emotional support, gifted, speech, sensory, and learning support students. There are also facilities for Title I reading and math lessons to go along with the flexible activity and learning spaces.