Odessa Campus New Early Childhood Center and New Elementary School

Odessa, Delaware

ABHA/BSA+A, LLC has been awarded the contract to design Appoquinimink school District’s new 840-student elementary school and 330-student early childhood center.

The campus master plan is organized around a central “Green,” drawing cues from campuses for higher education and from early colonial town planning. The elementary school, and future middle and high schools will face the Green, while the Early Childhood Center is set to the side, closer to the adjacent suburban neighborhood. The entrance to the site is a divided four-lane treelined boulevard, which leads to a roundabout connecting the inner and outer loops around the site.

The outer loop serves buses, staff, and students, while the inner loop is dedicated to visitors and parent drop-off. The inner loop encircles the Green, and is intentionally pedestrian in scale. Brick pavers will designate visitor parking, drop-off areas and crosswalks. The Green is a common space for all the schools, with potential uses ranging from athletics and marching band practice to graduation ceremonies and community fairs.

When asked about the team selected for the design of the new schools, Dr. Tony Marchio, Superintendent of Appoquinimink School District, stated, “The ABHA/BSA+A groups have formed a powerful team. They listen intently and respond creatively and have a real sense of the vision of our district. Creating an entire campus is a rare opportunity for a school district, and working with these knowledgeable, imaginative partners has added to the sense of excitement and anticipation.“