Construction
From responding to enrollment growth to providing increased academic opportunities, DASD is prepared to respond to ongoing facility needs across the district.
In addition to new building and expansion projects, DASD equipment, resources and facilities are on a scheduled maintenance and replacement cycle. This schedule allows for responsible fiscal planning while ensuring all DASD assets will continue to best serve our student and school community needs.
In This Section
Current DASD Construction Projects
* Please note, construction details may change as the projects progress.
- High School Renovations
- BC & WB Elementary School Expansion
- BH & LE Elementary Gymnasiums
- Full-Day K & 5/6 Center
High School Renovations
High School Renovations
As enrollment climbs at the secondary level, both Downingtown High School East and West will see a variety of expansions and upgrades through 2024. These expansions include additional classroom space, as well as flexible learning environments to support opportunities for students.
Renovation Goals
- Improved Educational Opportunities
- Flexible Education Space
- Blended Learning
- Project-Based Learning
- Lunch & Learn
- Large Group Instruction
- Extracurricular and Community Space
- Flexible Education Space
- Expand and modernize special education spaces for life skills, emotional support, autistic support and transition program
- Parity with STEM facility
- Value for each dollar spent
- Energy efficiency
- Improved foot traffic circulation and ADA accessibility
- Reconfigure East bus loop to improve traffic flow
Lunch and Learn
During the daily, one-hour lunch-and-learn block, students can collaborate with peers, seek extra help with teachers, visit with school counselors, do homework, eat and socialize. The high school atriums and courtyard in-fills will provide flexible learning spaces to meet these unique and varied educational opportunities.
DHS West Project Details (11/2/22 Draft PLans)
DHS West Timeline
Design & Documentation
Jan 2023 - Out to Bid
Feb 2023 - Open Bids
March 2023 - Review Bids
March 8, 2023 - Board Approval
Construction
April 2023 - Construction Begins
August 2024 - Project Complete
August 2024 - Project Complete
DHS East Project Details (11/2/22 Draft plans)
DHS EAST Timeline
Design & Documentation
March 2023 - Out to Bid
April 2023 - Open Bids
April 2023 - Review Bids
May 10, 2023 - Board Approval
Construction
June 2023 - Construction Begins
August 2024 - Project Complete
August 2024 - Project Complete
BC & WB Elementary School Expansion
Beaver Creek Elementary School
- Build a kitchen, cafeteria and loading dock
- Add classrooms and improve building circulation
- Convert existing kitchen/cafeteria to classrooms and small group instruction
- Update mechanical, electrical and plumbing
targeted completion fall 2025
KCBA Draft Concept Sketch
West Bradford Elementary School
- Add classrooms and improve building circulation
- Expand the kitchen and add loading dock
- Create kindergarten suite
- Replace mechanical, electrical, plumbing and windows
targeted completion fall 2025
KCBA Draft Concept Sketch
BH & LE Elementary Gymnasiums
Bradford Heights Elementary School
- Add gymnasium
- Add educational and support spaces
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Learning and emotional support
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Small group instruction
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Construction completion TBD
KCBA Draft Concept Sketch
Lionville Elementary School
- Add gymnasium
- Add educational and support spaces
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Learning and emotional support
-
Small group instruction
-
construction completion TBD
KCBA Draft Concept Sketch
Full-Day K & 5/6 Center
Full Day Kindergarten and 5/6 Center Proposed Construction
Since 2006, DASD has been working toward the addition of district-wide full-day kindergarten. As the district has continued to grow and enrollment has increased, the board and administration have strategically evaluated facility construction options to provide appropriate class sizes and equity across the district.
Community members are invited to share their feedback with their board member.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is full-day kindergarten important?
- Why is this construction important to DASD now?
- What are the enrollment issues?
- Where can I share my feedback?
Why is full-day kindergarten important?
Time and time again, studies have shown the value of early childhood education and its ability to bolster future student success. Providing a full-day program to all students allows time to not only introduce important concepts, but also time to learn and practice crucial social and emotional skills. Our full-day kindergarten program will be robust, engaging and allow time for play.
In Pennsylvania, 86.8% of school districts currently offer full-day kindergarten to all students. Adding full day kindergarten in DASD will not only help our students to succeed, but will further strengthen our entire community which can positively impact property values.
Why is this construction important to DASD now?
What are the enrollment issues?
In 2019, DASD hired FutureThink, a national planning firm that specializes in educational demographic analysis, to complete an enrollment projection and redistricting study.
The FutureThink Demographics Study was presented in July 2020 and projected an increase of 770 students in the next 10 years. Further, it showed 5 elementary schools exceeding functional capacity and one more just under the 100% capacity limit, and that’s before adding in full-day kindergarten.
In November 2021, architectural firm, KCBA, provided a detailed report of how DASD buildings could be expanded to address future student enrollment.
2020 July 14 - FutureThink Demographics Study2021 Nov 8 - KCBA Facility Capacity Study Board Presentation
Where can I share my feedback?
You are welcome to contact your board member directly. Visit www.dasd.org/board to find your board member and their contact information.
5/6 Center Construction Updates
March 2023
During the March 8, 2023 meeting, the board amended its original resolution stating their intent to build a 5/6 Center in West Bradford.
On February 14, 2023, the West Bradford Board of Supervisors denied the school district's petition to increase the impervious coverage ordinance from 12 - 17% to a range of 35 - 40%. The higher percentage would have allowed a 5 -6 center to be built at the Bradford Height Elementary site.
The supervisors did vote to increase the impervious coverage to "not exceed 30%". At a 30% level, the district will be able to make improvements and additions to both West Bradford and Bradford Heights elementary schools in the future but not build a 5-6 center school.
The restated resolution gives administration more flexibility in locating a 5 - 6 center school.
Nov 2022
November 2022 Update
- Per the July 2022 Board of Directors Resolution, DASD is exploring a potential school site at Bradford Heights Elementary School Campus in West Bradford Township
- The only other district-owned property that could be considered for a 5-6 Center is the McCausland property in East Brandywine Township
- The district will continue its effort to realize a 5-6 Center and full day kindergarten
