Arrowstreet designed the new campus for Hildreth Elementary School with up-to-date technology and innovative learning in Harvard, Massachusetts.

Hildreth Elementary School is a new PK-5 elementary school for the Town of Harvard in collaboration with the Massachusetts School Board Authority. The project site, adjacent to the former building, presented an opportunity to create a school for 21st century learning that meets the educational vision of this high-performing district, while also respecting the character and values of the Town.

The new school features 26 core classrooms for Grades PK-5, including classrooms for specialists, gymnasium, cafeteria, and media center. The building’s design prioritizes sustainability and incorporates ultra-low energy use, displacement ventilation, PV-ready technology, a high-performing exterior envelope, and optimal orientation. The Learning Stair links the first and second stories, connecting the open Media Center with the STEM/Art Room. The Stair allows small group learning or informal gatherings of multiple classes, such as an all-grade presentation.

The site includes a playground area, playing fields, bus drop-off lane, clear pick-up/drop-off zone, 96 parking spaces, and will house the District Administrative Offices. The school incorporates flexible learning spaces that accommodate large and small groups, individual learning experiences, as well as an innovation STEM lab.

To further support the school’s focus on health and wellness, Arrowstreet’s Graphic Design Studio developed a series of environmental graphics that reflect the building’s biophilic design. The graphics program includes a large-scale wall mural, individual classroom graphics, custom sunscreens, as well as signage and wayfinding.

Recognizing that today’s students need deeper social-emotional learning, community connections, and equitable access, school leadership partnered with the design team to incorporate learning spaces that recognize students’ developmental stages and create engaging spaces that build a sense of community and belonging. Classrooms are knit together with flexible areas to create learning neighborhoods that provide an innovative and diverse educational environment. The Hildreth Elementary School project represents a significant investment in the educational future of the Town of Harvard, providing a state-of-the-art learning environment for its students.

Design: Arrowstreet
Design Team: Larry Spang, Katy Lillich, Kate Bubriski, Liz Sinclair, Daniel Snider, Ping Zhang, Lauren Haggerty, Jessica Roach
Photography: William Horne