Norristown schools face a shortage of space, with a $12 million expansion project now approved.
In a bid to accommodate growing student populations and evolving educational needs, two suburban school districts in the Philadelphia area are turning to modular classrooms. The Norristown Area School District and the Cheltenham School District are leading the way in leveraging these flexible, scalable space solutions.
The Norristown Area School District has recently approved a $12 million school expansion project. This ambitious plan includes the installation of prefabricated modular classrooms at Cole Manor Elementary School and Hancock Elementary School, each receiving an extension of 11,300 and 11,400 square feet respectively. These additions will house eight full-size classrooms, some flex spaces, bathrooms, and a heating and air conditioning system.
Cole Manor and Hancock Elementary Schools require additional autism support classrooms, a testament to the district's commitment to catering to the diverse needs of its students. The administration building will also get a 7,800-square-foot extension, equating to 16 new office spaces.
Superintendent Christopher Dormer stated that the existing buildings have reached their functional capacity, effectively leaving them out of additional space. The modular additions, therefore, offer a timely and cost-effective solution. The project is expected to cost about 45% of the cost of traditional construction and take about one-third of the timeline for occupancy.
The construction process for the modular additions will overlap with the permitting process, further shortening the construction timeline. Once completed, these additions will provide the district with capacity not only for short-term special education needs but also for long-term buffer.
Meanwhile, the Cheltenham School District has a history of using prefabricated modular additions. In 2009, they used these units at Elkins Park School, and they will reuse them as they seek to reconfigure their grades following the closure of Elkins Park School.
Other districts, such as Cheltenham, are using modular classrooms to accommodate a rising population and changing needs for suburban schools. This innovative approach demonstrates how these districts are adapting to meet the demands of their growing communities.
[1] Source: The Times Herald, "Norristown Area School District approves $12 million project to increase capacity at Cole Manor Elementary School, Hancock Elementary School, and administration building", 2021. [5] Source: The Times Herald, "Cheltenham School District to reconfigure grades, may reuse modular classrooms from Elkins Park School", 2021.
The Norristown Area School District's $12 million school expansion project includes the installation of modular classrooms for education and self-development, demonstrated by the addition of eight full-size classrooms, flex spaces, and support classrooms for autism.
Cheltenham School District's history of using modular additions showcases their commitment to education-and-self-development, as they plan to reuse prefabricated units from Elkins Park School in their grade reconfiguration.
