The newly completed Career & Technical Education (CTE)/Early Childhood Center (ECC), located adjacent to an existing middle school, created a new facility for the De Soto School District creating additional capacity at the existing district facilities.This innovative facility is designed to foster individualized learning and ensure the safety and well-being of its students.

Commitment to Future Learning:

The new CTE facility supports both existing high schools with expanded career pathways including Advanced Manufacturing, Computer Programming, Animation, Robotics, Bio-Technology,  Early Childhood Education and Logistics. Flexible learning spaces and a high degree of transparency encourages students to explore multiple pathways.

Also included is a district training / conference center. The fabrication shop is unique to other traditional shop areas as it includes CNC fabrication and other specialized equipment to use multiple materials including wood, metals and plastics in the same area. The maker space on the first floor includes smaller scale 3-D printing, laser cutting and a virtual reality lab. The bio-technology laboratory on the 2nd floor is transparent to the 2 story atrium and is designed as a college / research level facility.

The CTE’s flexible design allows for future educational pathways to evolve over time, ensuring that the facility can adapt to changing educational needs and continue to provide a high-quality learning environment for years to come.

Central Atrium and Learning Spaces:

The central atrium of the CTE features a retractable “learning stair” that increases the flexibility of the space, allowing it to be adapted for different activities and events. This central gathering area encourages interaction and engagement among students.

Specialized Learning Environments:

The ECC features multiple small group areas throughout the facility, providing spaces for individualized specialty learning. These areas are designed to cater to the unique needs of early learners, ensuring that each child receives the attention and resources necessary to thrive.

Multipurpose Area and Safety Features:

A highlight of the ECC is its multipurpose area, which also functions as a FEMA shelter for the entire facility. This dual-purpose space not only provides a versatile area for various activities but also ensures the safety and security of students and staff during emergencies.

Engaging and Playful Design:

The design of the ECC incorporates open spaces with sculptural elements scaled to children, promoting both play and learning. Classroom windows are placed at multiple levels and come in various shapes, creating window seats and offering unique framed views of the outdoors. These design elements are intended to stimulate the imagination and curiosity of young learners.