William H. Ray Elementary School
This success story was developed with a generous grant from the National Park Service`s National Center for Preservation Technology and Training. | April 30, 2002William H. Ray Elementary School, an 1890s Queen Anne style building, is decorated with rich ornamentation, full-height octagonal bays and a lively roofline. In the 1980`s, the school was challenged by significant educational limitations and physical deterioration. Despite the school`s condition, an aggressive initiative led by a group of dedicated parents persuaded the Board of Education to restore the Chicago, Illinois school. In order to address space limitation issues, a modernized annex was added to this National Landmark.
Ray Elementary School`s educational program has benefited from the renovation and expansion project. The newly constructed state-of-theart annex is equipped with computer and science labs, which enables a majority of Ray students to have access to the Internet as well as email. Similarly, the preservation of the school`s historic amenities, including a spacious gym with second story running track and full-scale auditorium, retains features that Chicago Public Schools does not provide in newly-built elementary schools.
Ray Elementary School serves the socio-economically, racially and culturally diverse Hyde Park Community on Chicago`s South Side. The school has a diverse student body, with students speaking over 20 primary languages. The school is viewed as an anchor and leader in its surrounding community. Since the renovation, there has been a surge in community reinvestment surrounding Ray Elementary School. Today, the school is recognized as one of the top 25 public elementary schools in Chicago.
Description of Project
Local, state, national designation: The original building of William Ray Elementary School is deemed a National Landmark. Architect: John F. Flanders is credited with designing the school`s original building. Date of construction: 1893-1894. While the school was originally utilized as a high school, it was later converted into an elementary school. This conversion took place following the construction of a new high school to accommodate a growing population in the Hyde Park community.
Date of renovation: Fox and Fox Architects renovated the schoolhouse in 1997. This included adding a compatible addition to house preschool and kindergarten classes, a library, kitchen, student dining facilities, meeting rooms and science and computer labs.
Date of previous renovation: Arthur F. Hussander added a freestanding assembly hall in 1915. In 1955, an additional building was constructed (see below).
Use
(The school is for pre-kindergarten through eighth grade students)
Size: 118,000 square feet
Student/teacher ratio: Approximately 30:1 (+800 students)
Alternative uses: The freestanding auditorium is used by students as well as the community. The Hyde Park Jewish Community Center uses the school for numerous programs. The school also serves as a backdrop for the annual 57th Street Art Fair and Children`s Book Fair.
Location
Historic district: The school is located in the heart of the Hyde Park community, only two blocks from the University of Chicago campus. It is located at the corner of a busy retail street and Limbark Avenue, a residential street consisting of historic homes built during the turn of the century.
Bussing vs. walking: Students are able to walk to school.
Cost
Total renovation cost: Approximately $4 million
Per square feet: $33.90
Per student: $5,000.00
Source of funding
Local: The Public Building Commission (PBC) of Chicago funded 100% of the project.
State: None
Federal: None
Private: Local organizations contributed funding towards the maintenance of the school`s elaborate gardens.
Tax credits: None
Cost estimates for new school construction: The approximate cost for a new school in Chicago is $120.00 per square foot. The William H. Ray Elementary School offers historic features, including a gymnasium with a raised running track and a full-scale auditorium, amenities that are not included in the design of a new Chicago public school.
Problems and/or Threats
In the 1980`s, Ray Elementary School was initially plagued by wear and tear issues as well as had significant limitations. As a pre-1900`s building, the school lacked kitchen facilities forcing an improvised cafeteria to be setup in the building`s basement. The school had to also overcome obsolete wiring systems as well as limited accessibility features for handicapped students.
Close the school building: No
Raze existing building in order to build a new facility: While numerous public historic neighborhood schools have been demolished in Illinois, the School District did not recommend razing the existing building.
Acreage standards: No
State funding biases: Parents of Ray Elementary School students convinced the Board of Education to fully restore the school as opposed to a less expensive, quick fix project.
Inadequate government funding: No
Acceptance of donated sites for new school construction: While the Chicago Public School system purchased a vacant lot adjacent to Ray Elementary School in the 1960s, the site has remained a playground for school children.
Inflated school renovation cost estimates: No
Poor or bad renovation job: The American baby boom significantly increased the need for public schools in the 1950s. In order to accommodate this growing demand, a freestanding building was constructed on a portion of Ray Elementary School`s playing field. In addition to a cracked and sinking foundation, the hastily constructed building was not well received by the community.
Resolution
Strategies or state/local polices utilized to achieve success story: The Chicago Building Department was instrumental in achieving the success story.
Renovation Success
Undertakings: The community supported the1955 annex demolition.
Classroom size and circulation: No change
State-of-the-art facility: The newly constructed annex is state-of-the-art.
Computer technology: The new annex is equipped with computer and science labs. Students ages 3 to 8 have access to the Internet and e-mail. The Chicago Public School System and the University of Chicago Internet Project provide technical support for students.
Meets education programmatic needs: Yes
Building codes: Up-to-code
Life safety codes
Asbestos: Since abatement of asbestos took place prior to the renovation initiative, only minimal traces were removed during the actual renovation. As part of this effort, a complete led abatement was performed.
Fire safety: The school was equipped with a new fire alarm.
Air quality: Up-to-code
Handicapped accessibility: In order to accommodate several handicapped Ray Elementary School students, an elevator was constructed in the new annex, making the building 100 percent ADA compliant. Parking: The school has adequate on site parking.
Playing fields: A playground was built using the space previously occupied by the 1955 annex.
Awards Granted
Achievements/Recognition: The renovation work was recognized by the Hyde Park Historical society, and granted the Paul Cornel Award.
Future Endeavors
Maintenance plans: Ray Elementary School will need a new roof in the near future.
Maintenance funding: In addition to other sources of funding, the PTA is actively raising money for new auditorium seats.
Description of Outcome
Community Response
Neighborhood stability: The school is viewed as being an anchor and leader in its surrounding community.
Safety: No change
Community reinvestment: There has been a surge in community reinvestment surrounding Ray Elementary School. The school`s renovation most likely encouraged this positive response.
Economic growth: Real estate agents are utilizing the school`s renovation as a sales pitch in brochures, subsequently increasing the student population at Ray Elementary School.
Community Benefits
Students: The school has an economically, racially and culturally diverse student body, with students speaking over 20 primary languages.
Increased academic achievement: Ray Elementary School is recognized as one of the top 25 public elementary schools in Chicago.
Independence: Information not available
Teachers: Pleased with the work.
Parents: Parents of Ray Elementary School students contribute to the school by volunteering hundreds of hours with the PTA and "Friends of Ray." The parents are actually credited with persuading the Board of Education to pursue the reinvestment project.
