Beech Grove City Schools embarked on a transformative $17.1 million project to expand and reconfigure the existing Hornet Park Elementary School into the Hornet Park Early Childhood Learning Center—a purpose-built facility designed to serve children ages 3–5. The goal was to foster kindergarten readiness through a nurturing, engaging, and developmentally responsive learning environment.
From concept to completion, the project was realized through a close, integrated partnership between the District and Performance Services, leveraging a design-build model focused on educational outcomes and community value.
Key Features
- Age-appropriate classrooms equipped with restrooms, individual cubbies, and adaptable furniture.
- Secure entry vestibule and administrative suite to support safety and accessibility.
- Student services areas and enhanced interior finishes throughout the facility.
The Challenge
Beech Grove City Schools recognized a growing need within the district: families and educators lacked access to a facility specifically tailored for early learners. Existing spaces did not adequately support the cognitive, social-emotional, and physical development that preschool students require.
The challenge was twofold:
- Design and build a space that supports best practices in early childhood education.
- Engage stakeholders—educators, parents, and administrators—in a planning process that aligned facility functionality with instructional vision.
Our Role in Educational Planning
Performance Services played a critical role beyond design and construction—we served as a dedicated strategic planning partner throughout the process. Our Educational Planner served on the district’s local Research and Exploration Team, collaborating with stakeholders and reviewing survey results to inform both the vision and practical implementation of the center. This included:
- Ongoing planning meetings to guide the development of programming aligned with early childhood learning goals.
- Support for certification efforts, ensuring the new center met high standards in learning environment quality and operational design.
- Active involvement, where our design team worked side-by-side with district leaders and educators to reconfigure the existing school layout, ensuring the addition of the preschool program integrated seamlessly with the existing educational environment.
This collaborative, data-informed planning process ensured the final facility was not only functional but truly reflective of the community’s educational values and aspirations.
The Results
The Hornet Park Early Childhood Learning Center opened its doors in August 2022, becoming a model of early education excellence for the district.
Impact:
- Kindergarten Readiness: Young learners now experience enriched programming that builds foundational academic and social skills.
- Tailored Environments: Flexible classrooms and playground to support play-based learning and developmental growth.
- Stakeholder Confidence: The transparent and inclusive planning process gave educators and families confidence in the facility’s purpose and design.
- Long-Term Value: A solution that will serve generations of preschoolers—equipping them for success from the very beginning.
By incorporating educational planning expertise from the outset, Performance Services ensured the Hornet Park project was not just a building success—but an educational milestone.
