LaVenture Middle School
The LaVenture Middle School expansion succeeded by embracing change, protecting sensitive land, and keeping the school fully operational.
LaVenture Middle School marked an important milestone for the Mount Vernon School District as its first design‑build project, delivered while the school remained open and in use. The project expanded the existing campus within environmentally sensitive areas, calling for flexibility and problem‑solving from the start. Early site work revealed that the school’s playfield was actually a protected wetland — an unexpected discovery that required a complete redesign and additional permitting. The design‑build approach allowed the team to adjust quickly, reuse materials already on site, and preserve the original program and square footage without significant cost increases or re‑bidding. Through close collaboration, the project successfully supported school operations while delivering a modern learning environment that respects the surrounding natural landscape.
