Lisle Elementary School

infusing nature into the early education experience

Referred to as “Arboretum Village,” Lisle, Illinois is a suburban community known for its lush greenery, native trees, wetlands, and the iconic Morton Arboretum. The town’s school district previously included two elementary schools, both of which were aging and in need of extensive structural repairs and upgrades. Located on a 7-acre site, the district constructed a 105,200 SF facility to bring the separated elementary schools together under one roof. The school opened in Fall 2019 and houses up to 750 students from pre-kindergarten to fifth grade.

Lisle Elementary School celebrates learning and the surrounding landscape, and it is designed to standards that would classify it as an arboretum. Inspired by the 1,700-acre nature preserve and public garden that serves as a centerpiece of the Lisle community, the Morton Arboretum, the landscape at Lisle Elementary includes 26 species of trees and six species of shrubs planted at grade. An outdoor, planted terrace on the second story provides an additional connection to nature.

A large driver for Lisle Elementary School was to design a site and structure that fostered a culture of learning for students at various stages of their developmental and educational journeys. The team aimed to evoke a strong sense of place by celebrating the town’s well-known Arboretum and bringing this same nature and greenery to the site. This was also brought into the teaching spaces, with outdoor classroom areas that enable staff and students to infuse nature into their daily lives.

Location
Lisle, IL

Type
New Construction
K12

Size
7 acres

Project Team
Perkins + Will
Pepper Construction
Omni Workshop