North Carolina Construction News staff writer
T. A. Loving Co. recently celebrated a topping out ceremony at the new Sternberger Elementary School, marking the completion of the building’s structural framework and a significant milestone in the construction of the new campus.
Project partners include Guilford County Schools, T. A. Loving Co., Walter B. Davis Co., Clark Nexsen, KEi Architects, EDI, Raymond Engineering and CLH Design.
The nearly 87,000-square-foot school is replacing the existing Sternberger Elementary campus, which was built in 1949 and expanded in 1979. Guilford County Schools determined a new facility was needed to address aging infrastructure, limited space, accessibility challenges and increasing enrollment demands.
Designed by Clark Nexsen in partnership with KEi Architects, the two-story school will feature larger classrooms, a media center, gymnasium, cafeteria and flexible learning spaces. The building’s compact footprint creates additional space for playgrounds, gardens and outdoor classrooms while improving traffic flow for student drop-off and pick-up.
The school’s exterior will incorporate gray and red brick with fiber cement accents to complement the surrounding neighborhood while paying tribute to the original building. Inside, natural light, open stairwells and connections to outdoor spaces are intended to promote student well-being. Energy-efficient features, including Low-E glazing and exterior shading devices, are designed to improve comfort and reduce energy use.
Students will be organized into grade-level neighborhoods inspired by four natural biomes with themed graphics and colors serving as wayfinding elements while reinforcing the school’s “World Changers” identity.
The campus also will include a combined cafeteria and gymnasium separated by a dual-purpose stage that can accommodate both school activities and community events.
Landscape improvements designed by CLH Design include playgrounds, gardens and outdoor learning areas intended to expand educational opportunities beyond the classroom.
The new school is scheduled to open for the 2027-28 academic year.