Take a look at the additions coming to each of Appleton's four middle schools
APPLETON – Each of Appleton's four middle schools will get at least one addition, including more classroom space, to accommodate moving sixth graders from the elementary to middle schools.
At a board meeting Monday night, Mark Hansel, executive director of operations, shared an update on the middle school additions that were part of the successful 2022 referendum.
The district staggered bids for the projects. Bids for Einstein Middle School came back favorable, Hansel said, and Madison Middle School’s are due Tuesday.
“One shovel is already in the ground,” Hansel said. “Hopefully, with some favorable pricing tomorrow afternoon, we can stick another shovel in the ground and move forward on Madison.”
The other two middle school projects will go out to bid later this week.
Previously, the district has said it intends to complete all middle school additions by summer of 2024; in time for sixth graders to move that fall.
Here’s a closer look at each of the additions, according to what Hansel shared with the board.
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Wilson Middle School – 225 N. Badger Ave.
Wilson will get an addition along Badger Avenue with both classrooms and a gymnasium.
There will also be a new entryway, which can be seen on the right-hand side of the rendering. The main office will be moved to the front of the building to improve safety and security practices.
Kaleidoscope Academy – 318 E. Brewster St.
Classrooms will be added along the back of the building pushing closer to Erb Park.
Another gym also will be added.
Einstein Middle School – 324 E. Florida Ave.
Additions on Einstein will be a new cafeteria and two stories of classrooms.
Gym space is in high demand at Einstein, since it's shared with students who attend Classical. Adding a lunchroom will keep gym space open for physical education classes and accommodate unexpected enrollment growth on the north side of the city, as was discussed at a previous board meeting.
The classroom addition will be visible from Florida Street looking north.
More: Einstein Middle School will need a new cafeteria, other Appleton schools referendum updates
James Madison Middle School – 2020 S. Carpenter St.
Madison also will see two additions.
Along Calumet Street, new space will be added for a fitness center and art, orchestra and music classrooms. Madison already has a fitness center, but it’s difficult to access. That space will likely be converted to storage and space for electrical equipment.
There will also be a two-story classroom addition along the east side of the building.
Many of the additions will cut into existing softball space
The additions at Wilson, Madison and Kaleidoscope will cut into the existing softball diamonds, Superintendent Greg Hartjes said.
So, the district is exploring the logistics of students being bused to the high schools for softball practice and games this fall. Since the season is only five weeks, Hartjes said, the cost shouldn't be too significant.
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Reach AnnMarie Hilton at ahilton@gannett.com or 920-370-8045. Follow her on Twitter at @hilton_annmarie.
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This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Appleton shared renderings for additions to Wilson, Madison, Einstein
