Folsom Cordova Unified School District recently celebrated the grand opening of the new, HMC-designed Alder Creek Elementary School in Folsom, California. The HMC Architects design team, Roebbelen Contracting, trade partners, district representatives, and faculty attended a special ribbon cutting to celebrate the new school which was built to support the whole student.

The design of the 9.9-acre, 75,000 SF Alder Creek follows that of the HMC-designed district prototype school, Mangini Ranch Elementary School, which opened in August of 2021 and incorporates learnings from its construction and occupancy. The two-story school will accommodate 716 TK through fifth-grade students with 28 classrooms — 20 conventional, six TK/kindergarten, one special education, and one flex room with a stage and media center.

Classrooms are designed with flexibility and collaboration in mind; flexible furniture and moveable partitions accommodate a multitude of teaching styles and classrooms are connected to collaboration spaces and break-out rooms to encourage small group instruction and activities. With several outdoor learning spaces, students can take their learning beyond the classroom. The multipurpose room supports a variety of activities including athletics, performances, and community gatherings. A large entry full of natural textures and colors, environmental graphics that celebrate the earth’s natural elements, and a centerpiece gathering staircase welcome students, parents, and faculty into an inspiring and creative hub of learning.

The new school is a safe and welcoming environment that will nurture and support generations of Folsom students.