New River Ridge Elementary School Welcomes Students & Families

Thanks to Kent School District voters who supported the 2016 Bond initiative, we opened two new school buildings this year, River Ridge Elementary School and Kent Laboratory Academy. 

“A brand new school building is only possible because of our community’s investment in education and in the future of our students. This beautiful new building is a physical representation of our commitment to students and families to provide the best possible learning environment in successfully preparing all students for their futures,” Interim Superintendent Israel Vela said.

River Ridge will invite community members and leaders to tour and view the new school in September.

A State-of-the-Art Learning Space

River Ridge was designed by Hutteball and Oremus Architecture and built by Spee West Contractors. There are 42 classrooms, 8 flex rooms, an open-concept library, multipurpose room and gym – which can be combined by opening a large automatic divider wall.  The vestibule at the entrance is an added safety feature to allow all visitors to pass through the front office before entering the school. It features a music room, stage/band room and 4 office spaces for support staff as well as a full front office area to accommodate up to 9 staff members. It features a covered play area and two playground areas, one for grades 1-6 and one secured by decorative fencing for Kindergarten and early education programs. The building capacity is set for 758 students and 55 staff members.

The building was designed with geo-thermal wells to heat and cool the building. With a minimal boiler system to either heat up water in the circulation piping– it is the most efficient HVAC system in our area. The gym roof was also designed to hold future solar panels to again aid in the reduction of electricity.
 

Article Source: Kent Meridian High School