During the summer months, the district administration and ThenDesign Architecture have worked together to analyze a "Program of Requirements" for the new school and layout engagement schedules as the new school year begins.  

Over the summer months, Avon Lake City Schools has made significant strides on its capital improvement projects. Named "Building ALegacy," this capital improvement initiative is set to transform grades 5-8 in the district by creating a new state-of-the-art, approximately 158,000 square foot facility on the Learwood Elementary School site. This new school will consolidate the current Troy Intermediate School and Learwood Middle School into a single, central location. In addition, mechanical and systems improvements are slated for the elementary schools in the district.

The consolidation of Troy and Learwood into a central building presents a unique opportunity to enhance the educational experience for students. By bringing these grade levels together in a modern learning environment, the district aims to foster greater collaboration among educators, pool educational resources, and leverage new flexible collaborative spaces and technology-rich classrooms. By thoughtfully designing this new environment, it will prioritize the health and well-being of both students and staff, ensuring a durable and supportive setting for learning.

Both Learwood and Troy will continue to operate as usual until the completion of the new middle school. Then, following the opening of the new school, both buildings will be abated and demolished.

Furthermore, the scope of the project extends beyond the new middle school. Targeted mechanical upgrades and renovations are planned for the district's elementary schools, Eastview, Westview, and Redwood. These essential improvements are designed to enhance the comfort of students and staff within these buildings, ultimately contributing to a more positive and effective overall educational environment.

Project Meeting and Site Visits

Throughout the summer months, the district administration team has been working closely with ThenDesign Architecture. Their efforts have focused on a detailed analysis of the current "Program of Requirements," or POR, which is a comprehensive listing of all the necessary spaces for the new building. This critical step involves reconciling the spatial needs with budgetary parameters established by the bond issue passed by the community in May 2025. The POR serves as the foundational "recipe of ingredients" for the new school, outlining what will be included in the project in terms of space allocation. This early-stage alignment of needs and budget is crucial to ensure the project remains fiscally responsible and on track.

As the new school year commences, Avon Lake City Schools is planning a series of engagement opportunities with its staff. Initially, it involves gathering input from the staff at both buildings. These discussions will center on how the various spaces within the new building can be optimally arranged to enhance existing educational plans and foster innovative teaching practices. Afterwards, additional focus group meetings will be conducted to gather specific feedback on ideas for individual departments' new learning environment. This feedback will be incorporated into facility plans and facilitate better collaboration and more effective teaching.

Additionally, this fall, the district will host an educational visioning session designed to gather valuable input from its professional educators, as well as key community and city partners. This collaborative approach underscores the district's commitment to ensuring the new school's design reflects the needs and aspirations of all stakeholders. Transparency remains a top priority throughout the design process.

A crucial next step involves bringing a construction-manager-at-risk (CMR) into the project. This collaborative partner will be responsible for building the new school. They will work closely with the architect and the district throughout the design phase, providing valuable expertise in refining the project schedule and construction cost estimates. This early collaboration is considered essential for ensuring a smooth and efficient construction process.

The vision for the new middle school is to create a technology-rich, state-of-the-art facility that prioritizes educational best practices, flexibility in learning spaces, and a safe environment for the next generation of Avon Lake students to thrive.

The anticipated opening date for the new Avon Lake Middle School is scheduled for the 2028-2029 school year. The district remains committed to keeping the community informed as this exciting project progresses.