Part of the 2021 "Building the Future of Elementary Learning" bond program, this project featured the demolition of the former Haverhill Elementary and the construction of a brand-new facility for nearly 375 Pre-K through fifth grade students in Portage, Michigan. Haverhill and Central Elementary were the first two schools delivered under the bond, with Woodland Elementary to follow in 2027.

The design process was a true community effort. Fielding International Senior Design Architect Justen Dippel worked alongside students, staff, and Haverhill neighbors to shape the building from the inside out, drawing inspiration from the surrounding trees and neighboring Haverhill Park. Students had a direct hand in shaping the vision for their new learning spaces, sharing what they loved about their current school and what they hoped to see in the new one.

At the heart of the building sits the library, prominently visible from the main entrance and positioned directly across from the Gathering Stair, a central social and reading space that anchors the school's interior. Flexible learning studios are outfitted with mobile furniture that allows teachers and students to reconfigure their space for small group or whole group activities. Sensory rooms throughout the building provide quieter spaces for students with varied learning needs. Finish details carry that same intentionality throughout: herringbone tile in the bathrooms, colorful tile accents in the hallways, mango-colored accent bricks at the entrances, and a glass corner wall that draws natural light into the building.

The project scope included:

• A library at the heart of the school, visible from the main entry and adjacent to the Gathering Stair
• A gymnasium, art room, music room, and cafeteria and servery with walk-in freezers
• Dedicated Young 5s, Education Supports and Intervention, and Flex learning studios
• Sensory rooms to support students with varied learning needs
• A main office suite with reception, conference room, staff lounge, principal's office, and clinic
• Distinctive interior finishes including herringbone tile bathrooms, colorful hallway tile accents, and a glass corner wall
• A new playground and basketball court

O-A-K led the project from a June 2023 groundbreaking through a fall 2025 opening, guiding the Haverhill community through every phase of construction with regular site walkthroughs for staff and transparent progress updates. The Haverhill Hive welcomed students at the start of the 2025-26 school year.