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Through its BOLD Facilities Plan, Decatur Public Schools worked to create 21st-century learning environments. Johns Hill Magnet School, a K-8 facility, features a 750-seat auditorium, 672-seat gym, Art Alley, Learning Stair, and STEAM Suite for grades 6-8. The school's focus on arts integration and English-Language learner curricula further enhances the student experience.
Photos: O'Shea Builders
The team had to create spaces that would spark K-8 students' creativity, despite a tight budget and growing enrollment.
A cutting-edge, arts-focused facility on our existing site, designed to inspire generations of students to discover, nurture, and share their talents and cultural expression with the world.
- K-8 school
- 750 seat auditorium
- 672 seat gymnasium
- Art alley
- Learning stair
- STEAM suite for 6-8
Student-artists display their masterpieces in the open, accessible gallery for the community, bringing arts directly to the revitalized neighborhood. The alley also serves as an innovative and secure second-floor entry point for staff and the community, helping the flow of traffic for multiple events happening simultaneously.
The district had two separate schools that served their small, rural student population. Both campuses needed extensive updates and lacked 21st century spaces. The new, smaller single campus school serves the district within a tighter footprint with increased 21st century program space.
At 50 years old, the Eisenhower High School for the Decatur Public School District was physically worn, and functionally ineffective. The school district conducted a community engagement planning process to determine how best to meet the current and future educational aspirations of the community.
The new high school addition provides spaces that are flexible and have more than one function. Moveable walls, reconfigurable furniture, shared faculty offices, and multi-functional spaces create a 21st century learning environment in a smaller footprint.