Rowan-Salisbury School System - Elizabeth Hanford Dole Elementary School

Salisbury, NC

A new elementary school housing approximately 750 students. Design of this facility considered the age of the children and made it a goal to create a building, an entrance and a color palette that children could identify with. The main entry hall included large, round brick columns and brightly colored floor patterns. The Media Center is positioned just inside the main entrance and includes a two-story central area with clerestory windows and large picture windows to view the courtyard play area beyond. Classrooms were laid out in two wings with one wing serving Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade levels and one wing serving 4th and 5th grade levels. This school’s particular service area included large groups of special needs and advanced learning children and plans included several Resource Rooms to address these needs. The Gymnasium includes a large platform/stage and a 40 x 84 foot sport court that was sized up to promote and support community youth use and involvement. The Cafeteria seats 190 students and is served by a large commercial kitchen with a 20 foot buffet serving line, staff offices, walk-in and dry food storage and loading dock. The Site Plan included a large playground area, two basketball courts and a baseball field.