Our Education and Worship Studio has been busy wrapping up an exciting week of events and project completions. As students and staff head back to school, we are celebrating the milestones that new and renovated educational spaces bring to communities. These projects highlight our commitment to creating environments that foster growth, collaboration, and inspiration.
Olympia Brown K-8 School Expansion – Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
We were thrilled to celebrate the grand opening of Racine Unified School District’s newly expanded Olympia Brown K-8 school. Initially designed by Zimmerman in 2017, the original school laid the foundation for this exciting new chapter. We were honored to design the expansion, which adds a full middle school to what was previously a K4-5th grade elementary school. The expansion includes a dedicated middle school entry, a new gymnasium, an expanded cafeteria and kitchen, and commons space to improve circulation.
This project provides more space for a growing student population and creates a seamless K-8 educational journey under one roof, supporting Racine’s new Academy Programming curriculum for middle school students. We partnered with CG Schmidt, VJS Construction Services, Inc., and Harwood Engineering Consultants on this transformation.
Seton Catholic Schools – Groundbreaking Ceremony
A landmark event for education in Milwaukee, we had the honor of joining Seton Catholic Schools and CG Schmidt for the groundbreaking of two new educational environments: St. Rafael the Archangel School and Prince of Peace School. This project marks the first new Catholic school buildings in Milwaukee in nearly 60 years.
Spanning nearly 40,000 square feet each, these state-of-the-art facilities will accommodate 500 students with two classes per grade, creating warm, welcoming environments where Catholic culture thrives. This project is more than just building schools, it’s about building community. These spaces will serve as vibrant hubs for learning, creativity, faith development, and neighborhood connection, embodying Seton Schools’ belief that a strong, faith-based education is the foundation for personal and community growth. We look forward to seeing these schools open their doors in the fall of 2026.
Mitchell School – Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Good things come in threes, and we wrapped up an exciting week with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly updated Mitchell School. Built on a foundation from the 1930s, this renovation and addition project demonstrates how innovative design can breathe new life into existing spaces while honoring their architectural heritage.
The updated school now features a state-of-the-art two-station gymnasium, a dedicated chemistry lab, an accessible culinary classroom, and enhanced Special Education and 4K classrooms. With a new Wellness Center, collaborative spaces, and complete ADA accessibility improvements, Mitchell School is ready to provide students with an inspiring and equitable environment that fosters creativity, engagement, and new opportunities to excel. Congratulations to Racine Unified School District on another incredible milestone!
Stu LaRose, Director of our Education and Worship Studio, reflects on the impact of these events, “Seeing these projects come to fruition is a powerful reminder of why we do what we do. We are dedicated to designing spaces that not only meet educational needs but also foster a sense of belonging and opportunity. Each of these schools represents a community’s vision for the future, and we are honored to help bring that vision to life.” We believe architecture has the power to shape the future. Discover more of our work in the education portfolio and see how we collaborate with clients to design inspiring educational environments.
