Trailside is the third school in the Cedar Rapids Community School District’s implementation of a long-range plan for elementary schools. It combines the attendance zones of Arthur Elementary School and Garfield Elementary School. The four-section Kindergarten through 5th grade building organized in houses by grade includes a Preschool and Wraparound programs.
Behavioral education spaces are incorporated into the houses for integration into the overall population. The site created challenges in both its shape and topography. The design optimizes the site by incorporating an underground detention basin, an angled two-story design with carefully designed vehicular and pedestrian access and a street pull-off area for bus loading and unloading. The building is heated and cooled using a geothermal system with individual units at each space for a very flexible but efficient system.
Built in a residential neighborhood, the site includes play areas that can be used by the neighbors after hours. The kindergarten house doubles as a storm shelter. The school also incorporates outreach spaces for the local community such as the family room which acts as a food pantry.