School leadership forecasted several years ago that we would likely hit a space shortage as our middle school continues to grow. With more families embracing our full preK - G8 model and our continuing to attract new students particularly in 6th grade, this building not only addressed that G6 - G8 classroom shortage, but also established a thriving learning hub for our entire community.

Our Head of School Bob Carignan has said, “this building doesn’t look like the schools you and I grew up in -- nor should it.”  Every aspect of the design is purposeful, designed by our faculty, uniquely for our learners. The Middle Years Programme (MYP) experience at ISDenver is all about kids; the design of the new building adds wings to a program we’re already proud of.

Building construction of the Mary Louise Evans building began in the Fall of 2020, with a community-wide opening celebration in October 2021.

The Mary Louise Evans building supports and fosters the learner’s experience.

Learning pods serve as a home base for our 6th, 7th, and 8th grades:

• Where students have their cubbies, meet for advisory, and attend their core academic classes.
   
• The pods allow for grade level meetings, and other targeted activities that will be particularly helpful in the early days of the 6th grade transition. 

Flexible learning spaces incorporated into both the pod structures and the learning center.

• Supports our MYP teaching and learning model, which is rooted in project-based inquiry.
   
• The building has a variety of “huddle rooms” that support student-student and student-teacher collaboration. Students who work with our support team, need to collaborate on a project, or simply get some quiet space, can retreat to these spaces that are connected to or very near the classrooms, closely integrated into the normal flow of the classroom learning experience.
   
• The central pod areas themselves are designed for what we fondly call “messy learning:” where students and/or teachers can settle into a variety of adaptable spaces to read, study, work, discuss, construct...messy learning knows no bounds! Traditional hallways have morphed into inspired learning spaces.

The Mary Louise Evans building to me means giving wings to an already outstanding program. Now our physical environment matches the caliber of teaching and learning offered at ISDenver.

-Hope Forgey,
Assistant Middle School Principal, Design Teacher

Common workspace and functional design facilitates rich faculty collaboration by grade level and by subject.   

• Teachers can plan together and coordinate interdisciplinary learning activities.
• Building is designed around the notion of people “bumping into each other.” The intentional flow of the building encourages spontaneous interactions among all parties. We all know that many of our best ideas come from these short, incidental conversations!
   

• Designed to intentionally support our anticipated growth, while not being so big that we lose the intimate feel of our Middle School. 

  • A "right-size" Middle School where students benefit from being known, understood, and supported by our caring faculty. Our Middle School community thrives on teachers building multi-year relationships with their students - relationships that go beyond the classroom walls.

Thinking about my educational philosophy, and what truly drives my love for what I do, is encompassed in giving students the opportunity to define themselves as learners. Giving students the time to figure out what works, what type of space ignites creative inspiration, or perhaps what type of space provides the opportunity to focus and drone out the rest of the world. It is different for each and every one of us.

The MLE building is the epitome of this philosophy. I cannot express my gratitude enough in coming to a place that consistently instills this message to our students, ‘The way you learn best, is the right way.’ Thank you.

-Lauren Cantor, IB MYP Coordinator

Dedicated spaces for art, music, science, and design to support the wonderful programs we have in place. 

   

• Students have space to explore, experiment, design, build, create, and perform.
   
• Our architects watched our teachers in action and listened to their wishes when they designed these spaces. Flexibility and functionality allows students to actively indulge in their learning experiences.

It is exciting to be in a building that was specifically designed to support the already great teaching and learning that is happening in the middle school. Even more exciting, is that it opens up a world of possibilities for new and innovative ways to deliver our world class education.

- Rob Kapner, Middle School Principal

Our master plan is a planned and strategic trajectory for the school with a long-term vision of 20 - 30 years.

   Potential Campus 2040

 

• The plan was designed around the concept that when one building comes offline, another building comes online in its place, ensuring maximum use of our space while minimizing disruption.
   
• The building was envisioned for the day we outgrew our existing physical space on campus, that day came and now the Mary Louise Evans building stands to accommodate our needs. The Mary Louise Evans building is just the first step of many.

The Meade family’s story behind their gift is deeply rooted in the belief of: if you give, you will receive. Like a ripple in the water after a pebble is thrown, when you give, you leave your impact and legacy behind. Misty and Chad Meade have been blessed beyond measure; they’ve had a lot of influential people in their lives, especially three in particular who threw pebbles that continue to propagate through their lives today.

The late Mary Wanda Wiley, Misty’s mother, used to say, “if you give, you will receive.” Similarly, Roberta Louise Meade, Chad’s mother, taught her children early on that it’s always better to give than to receive. Although neither had much growing up and while raising their own children, they both deeply believed there was always need more than theirs and there was always someone less fortunate. People like these amazing women make the world a better place for all of us. Dr. Richard Evans, also known as Pastor Dick, is a beacon of inspiration for the Meades and their generosity. When Pastor Dick preached the significance of giving until you feel it, Chad and Misty internalized it as ‘give until it hurts’. And that’s exactly what they did: made a conscious decision to invest in our school - their kids, their teachers, and generations to come – in a way that they could really feel. Collectively, they’re all throwing their pebbles, and the ripples will continue to be felt long into the future.

Salamanca Room

It has been lovingly said that Mary Louise Evans stands today as an amazing vessel of learning  thanks to the patient tenacity of Kenton Epard and the generous time and fundraising efforts of Emilie Epard - truly a family effort! Once the ISDenver board saw the clear need for more classroom space in just a few short years, it was long-serving member Kenton who kept a laser focus on the school’s long-term ability to serve our current and rising families as they transition into middle school. In honor of his persistence a plaque is appropriately located at the entry of the Learning Center, reading: “These new spaces stand on the shoulders of board member Kenton Epard. We are grateful for his service, vision, and perseverance in forging the path that has led us here.”  

The Salamanca Room was named by the Epard family, who admire Salamanca’s long history as a center of learning. Not only is Salamanca one of Spain’s most beautiful cities, it also boasts one of Europe’s oldest and prestigious universities. An enduring and flourishing academic institution for more than 800 years; today the University of Salamanca in Spain is a highly regarded international hub for the humanities and is especially noted for its language studies, which attract students from around the world. "This new academic building enables, elevates and supports the dynamic, engaging and exciting learning opportunities that define ISDenver. Being part of this community is a rich experience on many levels, and this building demonstrates and aligns with the purposeful and inspired place ISDenver is." - The Epard Family

Embrace Pod

The Embrace Pod was named by a family in our Spanish program - the Pletchers - who chose this name to celebrate all the formative changes that take place during the middle school years. It is in these grade-level pods that “ISDenver students develop the character and courage to be changemakers.” The Embrace Pod invites all those in the space to remember to embrace what is present in the current moment while exploring and reaching for what can be and will be. "For us, this new academic building symbolizes the immersive and individualized educational environment in which our children have been thriving for many years now. Its design embraces all that ISDenver stands for: Internationalism, openness, community, safety, respect, and diversity of thought. One of the things we love most about the new academic building is that the architects, alongside school administration, sought inspiration for its design from the entire school community, including the students. In doing so, they demonstrated to our children that their voices matter…that all voices matter. And that is priceless. We are so thankful that we are able to be a part of this moment in time at ISDenver."  -The Pletcher Family

Montclair Room

The Montclair Room was selected and named on behalf of one of ISDenver’s long-standing faculty members. The donor family was inspired to honor Risa Machovec, who has been a happy presence in their lives, teaching art to and sharing a special connection with each of their children over the past 12 years. “Ms. Mac'' chose to honor ISDenver’s history - the name Montclair comes from Montclair Academy,  which merged with the Denver International School in 2009 to create Denver Montclair International School. Fun Fact: Risa is the sole teacher who remains from the 2009 merger - and we’re grateful every day that she’s with us, and that we now have the Montclair Room to honor that legacy! 

Saint-Exupéry

The Saint-Exupéry Room is selected by the Bodnar family who wanted to use their gift to honor ISDenver’s history. Accordingly, they asked us to invite our longest-serving faculty to select a name. It just so happens that our two longest-serving faculty hail from our French program, which means the naming also honors ISDenver’s roots as a French language school. These teachers seized the opportunity to name the room for Saint-Exupéry, a French writer, poet, journalist, and pioneer aviator who is best remembered for his novella The Little Prince (Le Petit Prince). Saint-Exupéry became a laureate of several of France's highest literary awards and also won the United States National Book Award. Most notably, he was a global citizen who served in World War II. As he said, "We fight in the name of a common cause. The freedom, not just of France, but of the whole world is at stake." He presented a challenge and showed us how to respond - mirroring our school's belief in Integrity.

Valencia

When we think about the RISE Campaign and the new, magnificent Mary Louise Evans building, we are reminded why we chose ISDenver for our son, Benjamin. Nothing is more present than the Mission of ISDenver: "Our inclusive, globally minded community develops highly motivated and academically successful bilingual learners who are inter-culturally adept and make positive contributions in a complex world.”For us as a family, culture, the love of travel, and the opportunity to be bilingual were forefront in our minds when we chose ISDenver. Little did we know the impact it would have to join a school with our 3 year old in the middle of a pandemic. It was a scary and ever changing time for us as a family. ISDenver has given our son a home away from home. His teachers have been amazing and the school as a whole has welcomed us. This past year we were able to learn more and be involved on campus, which allowed us to see the long term vision of the school and be introduced to what we believe is a state of the art building. How fortunate are we to have all of our children experience the Mary Louise Evans building?! When we decided to join the RISE Campaign, it was an easy decision for us. We believe in learning, giving back, and being a part of the journey. Our journey is just beginning at ISDenver and we know that each year will be more exceptional than the last. Choosing a name for our space in the Mary Louise Evans building was fun, but not easy for us. We wanted to be inspired and reminded of a place in the world that we aspire to live, so we chose Valencia. We will be reminded every time we step into the space that we have a dream that will hopefully be a part of our journey. We hope that everyone is able to be inspired to live their dreams and enjoy the journey!  -The Wernecke-Swenson Family

Trompita's Place (8th Grade Pod)

Elephants have held a special place in the Schommer house ever since our eldest son, Bryson, picked his beloved “Phanty” out of a menagerie of options in his crib, and poured his little heart and soul into bringing his best “stuffie” friend to life. And so, when we walked into Mrs. Marilin’s K1 class on Bryson’s first day of school at ISDenver and saw that his class mascot was none other than the famed elephant “Trompita,” it felt like fate. Over the next few years, our daughters Peyton and Caroline were also lucky enough to be part of Trompita’s class and to experience that same magic and wonder as their brother did in that wonderful classroom. The Spanish language and international culture our kids have experienced throughout their educational journeys at ISDenver, starting with Marilin, and continued by so many other dedicated and loving teachers at the school, has been a tremendous joy to watch as these kids’ parents. The teachers at ISDenver are, very simply, the BEST we could have hoped for, and we chose the name “Trompita’s Place” for the eighth-grade pod in honor of their contributions to our children’s journeys through this wonderful school and into adolescence. We hope that this name, and the eight-grade pod space itself, inspires all of our promoting students to reflect meaningfully on the beginnings of their own journeys at ISDenver, and to be grateful and proud of how profound that experience has been thanks to all of the dedicated teachers that contributed to it.  - The Schommer Family

Curie-osity Science Room

The Curie-osity Science Room is supported by Lesley & John Miquel. With a steadfast commitment to the fundamental role of science in primary education, the Miquels are likewise dedicated to fostering appreciation of the women in science, as well as honoring the family’s French heritage. A play on words, this room was named for Marie Curie, who in 1903 was the first woman to be awarded the Nobel Prize. She was the first person (and only woman) to be awarded the Nobel Prize twice, and she is the only woman to receive the Nobel Prize in two scientific fields (physics and chemistry).  Her husband Pierre was a co-winner of her first prize, making them the first married couple to win. She was the first woman to become a professor at the University of Paris. With their children just out of ECE, the Miquels eagerly joined the RISE campaign noting (somewhat tongue-in-cheek) that “our kids are going to be at ISDenver for years, so we want to maximize our return by investing as early in the process as possible!” 

Winfield Faculty Lounge

Named for a town that represents family for the Ranbys, The Winfield Faculty Lounge honors values such as education, community, generosity, inclusivity, and passion. The symbol on the sign, representing psychology, was chosen as a reminder of the importance of supporting mental health, particularly among middle school students. Full of natural light and tucked away on the first floor of the Mary Louise Evans building, this special space provides a dedicated place of rest, relaxation, and sometimes even quiet contemplation for our beloved faculty.

Kahlo's Korner

Motivated that our “faculty and students deserve a building that is an outward representation of the quality of the learning that takes place inside," the Blum family chose to bring to life Kahlo’s Korner. The new middle school art room named for the famous Mexican painter, is Ms. Mac’s dream teaching and learning space, full of natural light, plenty of space for not only art supplies but also for students to store their in-progress works as they develop week-over-week, and a garage door opening up to additional space for students to learn under the Colorado sun. Frida Kahlo was a painter known for her many portraits, self-portraits, and works inspired by the nature and artifacts of Mexico. Inspired by the country's popular culture, she employed a folk art style to explore questions of identity, postcolonialism, gender, class, and race in Mexican society. Her life’s work mirrors our community’s engrained celebrations of diversity, culture, and individual differences. We are safe to be who we are and explore new ideas and passions.

Mele Music Room

The Mele Music Room is named by the Pytel family, whose kids came up through our Spanish program. ‘Mele’ means music in the Hawaiian language, and is a perfect embodiment of two things that are central to the Pytels:  music and Hawaii. Mele embodies a  peaceful ‘essense’ that can be  felt as you enter the thoughtful space, complete with en-suite practice rooms. "We support this academic building with the hopes it will continue to create learners who push the limits of what is possible, value community, and their unique selves. Truly global citizens that will lead the future." - The Pytel Family

Love All

The room was named by a family in our French program. The name ‘Love All’ originated from the family’s love for tennis, and then it ultimately evolved into a phrase meant to call everyone in. It is named in the spirit of bringing people together. The observer is invited to create their own meaningful interpretation, which is also why you won’t find an icon on the room sign.

小奇迹 /  Xiao Qi Ji: “Little Miracle” 

小奇迹 – "Little Miracle" in Chinese – is named by a family in our Chinese program – the Wares.  The science room is named for the giant panda cub born in the midst of a global pandemic at the Smithsonian National Zoo. The past year and a half, this playful and curious panda cub captivated, inspired hope, and brought joy to our ISDenver family as well as many others around the world.   

Dream Big

With 8 years at ISDenver and three kids, the Reberrys have a good sense of what ‘community’ means. They value the unique aspirations and big dreams each child brings with them as they grow. “Dream Big'' reflects this family’s love for our community and for the creativity that comes with being at ISDenver. When you enter the room, you’re invited to use your creativity and reminded to Dream Big! Be it about your studies, your desire to travel the world or your latest idea or inspiration...the sky is the limit! Never forget to Dream Big!

Barbara the Dragon's Den

Barbara The Dragon’s Den is named by the Utech family in loving memory of Doug’s late mother, Barbara “BJ” Utech. She was a middle school science teacher for many years, inspiring hundreds of students with the wonders of the natural world. We think every day about how much she would love to see her granddaughter and all ISDenver students learn and thrive in the Mary Louise Evans building for decades to come and how much she would respect and appreciate that the faculty’s ideas and visions were honored in the design. May all who enter this space be reminded to create the world they want to live in.

Louise Enfield

The Louise Enfield classroom is named by the Berry family, as a way of honoring their children.“Everything we do is for these little girls”: ‘Louise’ is a shared middle name between Shelby and their oldest daughter and ‘Enfield’ is a shared middle name between Brock and their youngest daughter. May all who enter this room be reminded of the importance of remembering and honoring where we come from. “Our greatest passion is in education, children, and the future they can build. The Mary Louise Evans Building is an investment with compounded interest in the things we are most passionate about." - The Berry Family

Hayden

The Hayden Huddle room is named by the Wooll family, as a way of honoring Alexis’ mom and a maternal force for Jim, too: Jane Hayden. A fierce believer in both education and the power of philanthropy, Jane pushed for excellence in everything she touched. While she never intended to leave a financial legacy, and being better perhaps at writing than at showing love (although with age she was good with her grandsons), she nonetheless left a legacy of fans, of excellence, and of being as tough as nails. Alexis & Jim honor her feisty spirit in a lasting investment in her grandsons and their education: a nice quiet room to let your gears grind, a window to look out to the world and dream, and a safe space to keep a trick up your sleeve.

REGGAE

The REGGAE classroom is named by Bob & Laurel Carignan, as a way of honoring their family through the generations. It's no mistake that REGGAE is all capitalized, as each letter stands for multiple names in their family, including all four of their parents and their children. The room name also honors their family’s love of music - you may remember Bob’s pandemic goal of learning to play the mandolin (he is the least talented of them all!). “Despite never having children attend here, we’re committed to the wonderful mission of the school and feel like there is no place like this anywhere.”  -The Carignan Family

Priscilla Rose Hill

The Priscilla Rose Hill Classroom is named by the Darcy family. The name Priscilla Rose Hill is a combination of names honoring the donor's mothers and children: “[This is] a tribute to the amazing generation of mamas that raised us and the amazing generation of learners and thinkers and lovers that we are collectively raising as the ISD community.”