Roots Elementary School

Creating educational opportunity and community impact through a collaborative, budget-conscious school development.

Roots Elementary was developed as a self-funded initiative dedicated to expanding educational opportunities and strengthening the Park Hill community. Despite a limited budget, the project delivered a meaningful and lasting impact by creating a modern learning environment designed to serve local students and families while supporting the continued revitalization of the Holly Square neighborhood.

Saunders completed Phase 1 of the project, delivering approximately 22,000 square feet of educational space with capacity for up to 300 students. The facility was designed to meet the school’s immediate needs while providing a foundation for future growth and long-term community investment.

Delivered through a design-build approach, the project highlighted the value of early collaboration between the owner, design team, and construction team. Working within strict budget constraints, the team identified creative solutions that maximized value while maintaining the quality and functionality necessary to support the school’s mission.

Beyond construction, Saunders partnered with school leadership and community stakeholders to celebrate the project through a groundbreaking event for the Holly Square community, reinforcing the project’s significance as both an educational investment and a neighborhood asset.

The result is a thoughtfully designed elementary school that provides students with a welcoming place to learn while demonstrating how strong collaboration and strategic planning can deliver meaningful community impact, even within challenging financial parameters.