Education

Connecticut’s Largest Preschool Dedicated

Designed by Kenneth Boroson Architects

Main Entrance / photo by Woodruff/Brown Architectural Photography

New Haven, CT – The largest public preschool in the state of Connecticut was recently dedicated. The new 70,000sf building, Dr. Reginald Mayo Early Childhood School, was designed by Kenneth Boroson Architects of New Haven, as part of the city’s $1.6 billion school construction program, to accommodate 565 Pre-K and Head Start students from throughout the city.

New Haven’s School Construction Program is managed by Gilbane Building Company. Giordano Construction of Branford served as construction manager.

Dr. Mayo classroom / photo by Woodruff/Brown Architectural Photography

The two-story structure is equipped with a state-of-the-art security system and contains a total of 28 classrooms, including six special needs classrooms and a multipurpose room for community use after hours. Constructed of colorful masonry and glass, the building’s L-shaped design surrounds an exterior courtyard which provides secure access to playscapes, gardens, sand boxes, and a tricycle track.

Named for the former superintendent of schools, the building occupies the site of the former Helene Grant School, which required demolition due to hazardous materials and its inability to be adapted to meet current code requirements.

Dr. Mayo multipurpose room / photo by Woodruff/Brown Architectural Photography

The new early learning center was designed to LEED Silver equivalency and exceeds State of Connecticut High Performance Building Standards. Some green features include a photovoltaic system with multiple roof arrays, hydronic radiant flooring, and chilled beams.

Completed on schedule and on budget, the project scope also included design and construction of the NHPS Early Childhood Annex, a 3,200sf administrative office building, on the same site.