Mill Creek Academy, a tuition-free public charter school, is the first school built by National Heritage Academies in Wisconsin and the 101st developed by this nationwide organization. The building’s footprint is in the shape of an “H,” allowing natural light into each classroom. Hosting grades 4K through 8, this school features over 30 classrooms, student support areas, administrative spaces, and a large gymnasium in the middle. The classroom design supports Mill Creek Academy’s goal of small group instruction, independent learning practices, and one-on-one teaching. Lap siding accented by stone masonry creates the exterior façade, while cedar trusses and beams provide an inviting entrance to the school. Based on the traditional congestion associated with student drop-off and pick-up, Mill Creek Academy took an innovative approach by implementing multiple drop-off lanes and safe exchange areas, enabling staff to welcome students and parents during busy times. The water table was extremely high on the undeveloped land, so we constructed four bio-retention ponds to overcome this obstacle. As a nationwide charter school organization, we were thrilled to hear this was one of their best building experiences over the past 28 years!

After a lengthy selection process and approved referendum, Kraemer Brothers was awarded the aquatics renovation project for the Kickapoo Area School District located in Viola, Wisconsin. This project encompassed remodeling existing space in the Lee Griffin Pool to include locker rooms, a multi-purpose room, and a natatorium. Also part of the project are equipment and pool storage rooms, laundry/treatment rooms, and a basement housing the mechanical equipment used to run the pool and newly renovated space. Since the new pool’s depth and length decreased, an extensive amount of backfill was required to ensure a solid foundation for the concrete floor pour in the multipurpose room and the new pool floor. Adding a refresh to the pool, it received new tile, coatings, markings, drain and filtration piping, and a new filtration equipment system. New wall coverings and tile matching the Kickapoo Panther’s school colors was installed throughout the natatorium as well as glass windows for viewing and natural lighting. When the project finished, Kickapoo Area School District received a new 41’ x 34’ ADA compliant pool, new refurbished locker rooms, storage and treatment rooms, and a 1,600 square foot multipurpose room that is available for the school and community to use for wrestling competitions and practices, exercise classes, community meetings, activity training, and other scheduled events.