Montessori School of Wild Pines is a small, community-centered Montessori school serving toddlers and primary students from 1.5 to 6 years old. With six classrooms, the school relies on strong family involvement, which fosters a sense of community while keeping overhead low. This full-scale renovation of an existing building was completed on a tight budget and compressed timeline, requiring creativity, tenacity, and close collaboration between the board, administration, contractor, and architectural team. The project was essential in keeping the school open when their prior lease expired.
Steve Scribner
Diem Tran
Pete Noonan
DL Engineering
MEC Inc
D. Keller Electrical Design
Sarah Vanderpool
Shape Architecture Studio
10,870 sf
Denver, CO
The teachers’ excitement to occupy their new, light-filled classrooms with direct outdoor access was matched only by the children’s delight in their transformed learning environment. Every aspect of the renovation was carefully planned to meet or exceed Colorado Child Care licensing requirements, allowing the school to open on time. We also integrated accessible design throughout the building in accordance with Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) standards, ensuring that all students, staff, and visitors could navigate the school safely and comfortably.
By addressing the functional needs of the students and creating a bright, inviting, and safe environment, we demonstrated that the quality of the learning space is central to the learning experience itself. Opening day in Fall 2023 was both memorable and moving, as everyone celebrated the new classrooms, playgrounds, and common areas. All these areas support exploration, growth, and connection that will endure for years. This project stands as an example of how thoughtful design, collaboration, and dedication can sustain and uplift a vital educational institution while enhancing the daily experience of everyone who learns and works there.
