Hillsdale Local School District

State-of-the-Art Facility Elevates Education with Innovative Design

Hillsdale Local School District has always prioritized excellence, innovation, and community collaboration. With the mission to create a safe, empowering environment that builds character and prepares students for life, Hillsdale took on an ambitious project to build a new, state-of-the-art facility. Partnering with Fanning Howey and KI, the district sought to establish a space that supports its vision by integrating advanced technology, fostering collaboration, and encouraging creative learning across all grade levels. 

The new building replaced Hillsdale’s previous facilities, which had collectively served the district for more than 140 years. With both elementary and secondary students housed under one roof, the building includes classrooms, administrative offices, and common areas that connect seamlessly to support interaction and foster community.

The partnership with Hillsdale, Fanning Howey, and KI reflects a shared commitment to meeting the district’s unique needs. Hillsdale’s administration emphasized how the design process was tailored specifically to their educational goals.

“We shared what would work for our culture, and they molded their approach to meet our needs. I think it has worked out very well,” a school official noted. Fanning Howey’s experience with similarly sized, rural districts stood out during the selection process, as they demonstrated a deep understanding of how to design for small, community-focused schools.  

Hillsdale’s mission emphasizes a safe, encouraging environment where students can thrive. The design of the new school reflects this mission by incorporating spaces that empower both students and teachers.

“Our collaboration zones are going to be very powerful,” said a representative from Hillsdale, describing the extended learning spaces that foster new curricular opportunities and allow for seamless interaction beyond the classroom walls. The versatile furniture in these zones supports flexible learning setups with Ruckus activity tables and chairs on casters, enabling quick transformations for group work, presentations, or independent study, thus accommodating any teaching and learning style.

Beyond the collaboration zones, Hillsdale’s new building includes technology-enhanced classrooms and extended learning areas. Each instructional space is equipped with interactive TVs, which supports a cohesive K-12 STEAM program that now includes classroom-based resources such as large Ruckus worktables for projects as well as mobile STEAM carts, allowing students to explore science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics in a flexible, hands-on way.

To support Hillsdale’s goals of fostering creativity and student empowerment, KI provided a variety of furniture solutions that adapt to different learning styles and activities. Flexible Ruckus seating encourages movement and collaboration, while more relaxed MyPlace lounge furniture offers ample spaces for individual study or group work. These furniture solutions help create an environment where students can choose how they learn best, giving them a sense of control over their educational experience.

For Hillsdale Local School District, the new building represents more than just a physical upgrade. It embodies the district’s commitment to preparing students for future challenges in a global society. With enrollment on the rise and STEAM education in full swing, Hillsdale is well-positioned to continue delivering on its mission of innovation, empowerment, and collaboration.

“At Hillsdale, we celebrate a vibrant community committed to excellence,” a district leader reflected. “This new facility is a testament to that commitment and to the bright future we are building for our students.”