In a vast field on the Banning Lewis Ranch property a school is being raised. In the spirit of the property’s history, the Banning Lewis Ranch Academy will mirror a barn that is often common to ranches.The Banning Lewis Ranch Management Company wanted the school to replicate a barn-like structure and an adjacent recreation center will be built in the same design of a ranch house, said Peggy Kinsey, project architect at SlaterPaull Architects.Kinsey said BLRA isn’t an average school. “It’s very unusual primarily because of the concept itself,” she said. “You typically don’t find fireplaces in schools.”The 60,000-square-foot structure will eventually house 650 students and include 26 classrooms, a library with exposed wooden beams, a gymnasium with a vaulted ceiling, a music classroom, an art classroom, a science classroom, two fireplaces and ball fields, said Ric Ruedin, vice president of Golden Triangle Construction.The structure will have an exposed frame so students can see how it was built. “In old barns you can see all the structures of the building,” Kinsey said.”It’s impressive,” Ruedin said. “They’ve gone over and above what a typical elementary school does.”Many green building techniques like natural lighting, synthetic stone, tectum panel roof, polished concrete flooring, Low E windows, and cement board siding were added to the design of the school, he said.The design process started in late August 2005, and construction crews broke ground in December. “It was a big challenge for the design team to complete the design for a 60,000-square-foot building in three-and-a-half months,” Ruedin said.The entire project, from the initial conceptual design to the end of construction in August, will be completed in one year, he added. “Everything is good with the budget and the schedule.”John Cassiani, Banning Lewis Ranch vice president of project operations, said the school will cost $8 million to build. The entire project is funded by BLR. “It’s a couple of million more than the average, but we wanted to do a good job,” Cassiani said.Lis Richard, BLRA Chief Administrative Officer, Lis Richard, said the school is scheduled to open Aug. 28 to over 500 students. The charter school is open to anyone, but 98 percent of the student body is from School District 49.Of the school’s introduction into the district, Richard said, “We have a wonderful relationship with the district. Dr. (Stephen) Hull (D 49 superintendent) has been very courteous, helpful and has welcomed us into the district.”Preparations are near completion. The school’s staff has been hired, and there is a waiting list for all grades but eighth, she said.The BLRA offers three full-day kindergarten classes and two classes each for grades first through eighth. Richard said the middle school grades six through eight will be on the separate side of the building from the lower grades.Mosaica Education Inc., the management company for the BLRA, offers a unique and successful academic program, she said. “It takes classical education to the next step.”Richard said the middle school grades have access to an International Baccalaureate program. BLRA will be one of only four schools in Colorado Springs that has the advanced placement classes, she said.Richard is enthusiastic about the district offering a charter school. “Because we’re Americans, we value freedom and we value a parent’s freedom to choose where their children can go to school.”
