Finegold Alexander is working closely with the City of Cranston during the construction phase of the newly designed 100,000 SF Gladstone Elementary School, to replace the former 1950’s-era school. With an enrollment of 798 students serving grades K- through 5, the new school consolidates Gladstone and Arlington Elementary Schools into one building.

The new Gladstone Elementary School will feature 3+ stories of teaching and learning, with an innovative design that reimagines the traditional classroom layout. Rather than arranging classrooms along a central corridor, the school is organized into six Learning Communities – each a suite of interconnected learning spaces. Every community includes a Learning Commons, Learning Studios, an Active Lab, a Teacher Collaboration Workroom, and Small Group Rooms. This forward-thinking design ensures that the entire school supports learning, collaboration, and engagement.

Curiosity Centers link the Learning Communities on each floor, serving as dynamic hubs that include a distributed library/media center, along with dedicated areas for music, art and a makerspace. Flexible furniture allows students and teachers to seamlessly extend learning beyond each dedicated space, supporting individualized instruction and creative exploration.

Located at the heart of each Learning Community, the Learning Commons offer flexible spaces for student gatherings, small group collaboration, and individual learning zones. Generous, strategically located windows fill the space with natural light, while interior glazing maintains visual connections between the Learning Commons and adjacent Learning Studios. This fosters a sense of openness and connectivity through the whole learning environment.

Learning Studios provide students with spaces that support individualized instruction and adaptable learning experiences. Each room features interactive learning walls and movable furniture to promote flexibility and collaboration, along with a variety of seating options – including window alcoves designed for focused study and reflection.

The Social Heart/Cafetorium is designed to serve larger gatherings for both the school and broader Cranston community. A central platform functions both as tiered seating for students during daily activities and an area for special performances, events, and assemblies.