DeKeyser Elementary

DeKeyser Elementary School was constructed in 1971 as an open concept elementary school, where individual teaching spaces were not defined by physical walls. It is one of several open concept elementary schools in the Utica Community Schools district, the second largest district in Michigan, which includes 25 Elementary Schools. Due to the district’s size and the repetitive nature of the needs of its schools, the district had previously implemented a conservative facility approach and maintained the 1970’s building for over 50 years with very limited improvements.

Current demands regarding security, teaching and learning, and infrastructure end of life mandated a bold new approach to re-envision the future of not only DeKeyser but for Utica Community Schools as a whole. The visioning process began with an extensive master planning effort for the district and ultimately led to the selection of DeKeyser Elementary School as the first of many buildings to implement this bold new shift to teaching and learning at UCS.

The DeKeyser Elementary School renovation includes an extensive demolition of the original building, maintaining only the structure and components of the exterior shell. Several strategically placed additions expand the building’s capacity within a tight site footprint while also enhancing the curb appeal, sight lines, security, thermal comfort, and general wayfinding. The new concept is based on the creation of spaces that engage students to become active participants in learning, shifting the focus to learning-centered environments that support independent, collaborative and large group activities. Learning Communities, designed around grade bands, are an integral part of this vision and support the broader goals of the district.