Ruth & Harold Frazier Elementary School, McKinney ISD
Project Stats
- Location
McKinney, Texas
- Size
105,000 SF
- Market
- Expertise
A connected resource designed for a planned community.
One of the fastest-growing cities in North Texas, McKinney attracts young families seeking the desirable lifestyle, quality education, and safe neighborhoods to raise their children. Corgan was hired to design their 22nd Pre-K-5 elementary school in a planned development on the north end of town. Situated in a walkable neighborhood with houses, townhomes, and multi-family residences, the new ground-up facility is specifically designed to be community-oriented, connected, and accessible, offering resources ranging from STEM to special needs education.
Collaborative spaces offer a wealth of learning activities
At an 850-student capacity, the building provides three wings off the central spine with flexible classrooms designed for future growth. Each grade level provides open collaborative spaces outside the classrooms for students to learn and build social skills. A designated special education center large enough to accommodate special needs children district-wide is the first and only school to accept students from other schools. Encouraging creativity and interactive learning, the library offers a maker space equipped with 3D printers and tactile items to support STEM curriculum, hands-on building, and group activities open to all grade levels. Replacing old-school mazes and cramped spaces, the footprint is intentionally organized to force kids to interact on their way to specials and features navigable walkways, spacious common spaces, and bright floor-to-ceiling windows for clear open views that inspire human interaction and connection to the outdoors.
Community-connected, student-focused
Since most families live within walking, biking, and short driving distances from the school, ample room was given to carpool drop off zones and a welcoming covered entry. Central to the planned development, two outdoor playgrounds as well as a city park adjacent to the school feature green spaces and recreation areas where parents and children can play. The expansive library and cafeteria are designed to support after-hour community activities promoting community connection and involvement among families in the well-planned neighborhood -- a place where teachers, families, and students come together in a spirit of shared values, fellowship, and learning.
