Cove School Construction Officially Kicks Off on Saturday

The demolition of the former San Clemente School is well underway and the construction of the new Cove School is not far behind. 

Members of the Larkspur-Corte Madera School District community are invited to the Cove School Groundbreaking on Saturday, August 17 at 10 a.m. to celebrate what will be a new design for 21st century learning.

“Cove Elementary will be a truly special place that raises the bar and sets a new standard for elementary school development and renovation,” said Mark Quattrocchi, principal at Quattrocchi Kwok Architects 

Set to open in fall 2014, the five building, 39,680-square-foot school will accommodate 325 students, and will deviate from traditional classrooms by using Learning Suites — which consist of two-classroom sized spaces that can be combined or separated by a partially transparent operable wall. The entrances will all face a shared central courtyard.

“This campus promises to foster collaboration, integration and ‘hands on’ learning in addition to spaces for peer-to-peer and individualized instruction,”  Quattrocchi said.

The campus will be anchored by a student services and café gathering space, which will accommodate administration and counseling offices, dining, performance and exercise use, and school-wide assemblies.

There will also be an abundance of natural light, large alcoves for art and science, reading alcoves and designated outdoor learning spaces, such as a central amphitheater, culinary gardens and nature exhibits.

“After many years and much planning and community input, we are very excited to see our dreams for a new Cove Elementary come to life,” said Larkspur-Corte Madera School District Superintendent Valerie Pitts. “We are very pleased with the collaboration of our design and construction partners on this project. They listened to our needs and have exceeded our expectations in terms of services delivery. In a year’s time, we will be welcoming students into a truly progressive and effective learning experience.”

All are welcome to attend the groundbreaking ceremony, and kids especially are invited to bring their shovels and participate in the ceremony. They can also bring a small glass jar to collect a sample of dirt from the site. 

“Afterwards, I encourage everyone to bring a ball or activity and move over to the field are for informal socializing, Principal Michelle Walker said in an announcement to parents.  “Let’s make this school a community hub from the very start!”

The official kickoff with include a few words about the plans for construction of the new, $19 million school which is part of a wider, $40 million modernization project funded primarily through Measure A, a bond that voters passed in 2011 to combat rising enrollment.

The former San Clemente School closed in the early 1980’s when enrollment was declining, and for years the district leased the building to the private French school Lycee Francais. 

The district decided to open another school due to enrollment growth, and Lycee Francais has relocated to Sausalito.

During construction the school entrance from Golden Hind Passage will be closed to non-construction traffic, but the fields, volleyball and basketball courts and bathrooms will remain open to the public.