Mitchell Elementary School represents a powerful investment in the future of education and community in DeKalb. Created to reduce overcrowding, balance enrollment across the district, and ensure equitable access to modern learning environments, the new K–5 school transforms an existing Northern Illinois University facility into a vibrant neighborhood hub for learning.

The three-section elementary school includes three classrooms per grade level, along with four additional classrooms to support future growth and flexible programming. Designed to serve 450–500 students, Mitchell integrates next-generation learning environments, including Innovation Pods, STEAM labs with ceiling-mounted power drops, and collaborative spaces that encourage hands-on, inquiry-based learning.

Funded by the 2019 bond, the new Plainwell Fieldhouse provides a state-of-the-art facility for student athletics and community wellness. Strategically located adjacent to the high school and designed with long-term functionality in mind, the facility redefines how Plainwell’s 2,600 students and residents engage in sports, recreation, and wellness.

The new 327,000-gallon pool features 10 competition lanes, doubling the previous capacity, and includes a new dedicated diving area. A second-floor spectator space provides an elevated view and comfortable seating for extended swim meets, while the pool’s energy-efficient heating and filtration systems support sustainability and performance. The facility also employs the Colorado Timing System, a state-of-the-art electronic timing system for competitive swimming and other aquatic sports.

The connected fieldhouse includes a three-station competition gym with a designated main court and flexible layout to support multiple events at once. Retractable bleachers can accommodate over 2,100 spectators, and a second floor running track supports both training and community use.

At Riley Elementary School, education extends far beyond the four walls of a classroom. Every space, pathway, and experience has been designed to inspire curiosity and support meaningful learning.

Built on 39 acres of former farmland, Riley Elementary redefines what a modern learning environment can be, by looking to the land that surrounds it for inspiration. Located on the east side of the district to better serve local families, the new K-5 school honors its agricultural past while cultivating a future of exploration, flexibility, and outdoor learning.

As part of Coopersville Area School District’s commitment to presenting a unified, professional image that reflects its values and mission, GMB partnered with the district to develop a comprehensive brand platform that streamlines communication and builds community recognition across the district.

Our work focused on creating both foundational brand assets and practical tools to support day-to-day communications, including:

• New Brand Guidelines – delivered as both a downloadable PDF and a user-friendly digital website for easy access.
• Logo Package – including formatted files and variations for diverse uses.
• Typography – clear guidance on fonts and sizes for both print and digital use.
• Graphic Templates – headers for newsletters, social media graphics, and other communication channels.

A key focus of this work was standardizing how brand elements are used across all schools and departments to simplify the work for administration staff. By cleaning up outdated documents and inconsistent visuals, we helped the district ensure internal and external communications reflect a single, cohesive identity. From letterhead to social media, families now experience a unified brand that reinforces Coopersville’s Bronco spirit.

The new multipurpose indoor facility at East Kentwood High School is designed to serve the diverse needs of athletic teams, student organizations, and community partners across the district year-round. At 108,000 square feet, this state-of-the-art space is one of the only full-size indoor football fields in Michigan and is designed to elevate both athletic and educational experiences. 

Designed with inclusivity, flexibility, and long-term community value in mind, the facility offers a regulation-size football field with striping for softball, baseball, and lacrosse; a 55-yard turf soccer field; four-lane sprinting and training track; two band towers; and additional flex space to accommodate a wide range of programs. The field area is surrounded by clean, modern finishes, including endwall storage, solid-colored wall padding, and perimeter netting. AV boards for media, timekeeping and scoring will enhance the game-day like experience for athletes. 

York Technical College is more than a place to earn a degree; it’s a gateway to forging careers and building relationships. Proudly serving the tri-county area of Lancaster, Chester, and York, this 2-year institution in York, South Carolina is known for their high job placement rate after graduation. York Tech stands as a beacon of opportunity, welcoming students of all ages and backgrounds to pursue their ambitions in an environment that feels like home.

Facing increased competition due to dwindling student numbers, York Tech needed a memorable brand to stand out. After more than a year of building a relationship with the College, our team provided the College with comprehensive brand services, including a brand platform, brand campaign, 60th anniversary campaign, and detailed brand guidelines. The result is a powerful identity that resonates with students, their families, and the broader community.

Located on the Geneseo High School campus, the new 12,000 square foot Career & Technology Center is designed to expand hands-on learning opportunities and strengthen workforce connections for students.

The standalone facility accommodates 45 students and three teachers — a 33% increase from the district’s previous vocational spaces — and features dedicated areas for automotive, metals, and woods/building trades instruction.

West Ottawa High School has been named a GRAMMY signature School for its outstanding music program. The school’s student performers in choir, band, orchestra, and jazz ensembles consistently receive top ratings and awards, as does the theater arts program.

All arts and STEM programs in the district are heavily supported by the community, and the district aims to increase the competitiveness of its programs by establishing a new, high-end performing arts center. West Ottawa is establishing a new Performing Arts Center (PAC) as part of its 2019 bond initiative.

As part of a multi-facility “Indy Campus Reimagined” initiative, Ivy Tech Community College (ITCC) is undertaking the renovation of the Illinois Fall Creek Center (IFC) to enhance its Nursing and Health Sciences programs. This project will repurpose existing classroom space, consolidating health sciences programs from the Fairbanks Lawrence campus and integrating state-of-the-art lab upgrades to better support modern student learning.

A key goal of this renovation is to centralize all student services on campus, creating a more intuitive and cohesive experience for students and staff. By consolidating services in one location, the design features clear wayfinding and establishes a primary entrance that enhances the facility’s arrival experience.

By creating a state-of-the-art space for Nursing and Health Sciences, ITCC is strengthening their connection to the local healthcare industry. Students will benefit from upgraded learning environments and proximity to clinical placements, internships, and workforce opportunities in the downtown area.

Edgerton Trails Elementary School is an innovative addition to Rockford Public Schools and is their first new school in nearly 25 years. This state-of-the-art PK-5 facility was made possible through the community’s support of a $174 million bond issue passed in 2019. Designed to accommodate the growing population on the west side of Rockford, Edgerton Trails alleviates overcrowding in neighboring schools. The school is a testament to the district’s mission to provide safe learning environments that give students the academic and social skills needed to be successful, lifelong learners in a global society.

The school’s colorful interior is inspired by Rockford’s elementary science curriculum, with each grade level housed in distinct “neighborhoods” that reflect local habitats. The neighborhoods — The Pond (DK), The Woodlands (K-1), The Lakes (2-3), and The Dunes (4-5) — provide age-appropriate and fun environments that connect back to what they are learning. Students can feel emotionally and physically safe as the layout ensures they interact primarily with their peers in spaces designed specifically for their developmental stage. The integration of natural themes also extends to the building’s outdoor learning spaces, which includes a small classroom amphitheater and access to the district’s nature center. Two playgrounds on site also cater to the needs of lower and upper elementary age students.