Joyce Kilmer Elementary School

Client: Trenton Board of Education

Project: New Joyce Kilmer Elementary School

Epic’s role: General Contractor

Construction costs: $20 million

Reference: Michael Abarno, Hill International; 973.774.3535

Project scope: The original Joyce Kilmer Elementary School building was replaced by an entirely new three-story, 119,882 square foot building, with a central courtyard that provides the building with more light and ventilation, as well as provide the school with a valuable “Living Science Center.”

In addition to administrative offices and classrooms for the school’s pre-K-5th grade students, the new school consists of 3 pre-k classrooms, 4 kindergarten classrooms, 16 1st grade through 4th grade classrooms, six 5th through 6th grade classrooms, five 7th through 8th grade classrooms, 2 science classrooms, 2 self-contained classrooms, 2 computer labs, an art room, vocal/music room, life skills classroom, technology classroom, and science lab.

Epic Management began the construction of the school in January of 2004. Hill International is the Project Management Firm. Students began attending classes in the new facility in September 2006.

Construction systems for Joyce Kilmer Elementary School consist of the following:

• Steel Frame with CMU infill with sections of load bearing CMU walls including fire separation were required
• Decorative mix of split face and ground face exterior CMU with venting insulated aluminum glazing  systems
• 1st floor constructed as slab on grade
• Interior finishes executed to meet the rigorous demands of everyday school use

The new central courtyard provides the building with more light and ventilation, as well as provides the school with a valuable “Living Science Center.”  In addition to administrative offices and classrooms for the school’s pre-K-5th grade students, the new school consists of three pre-K classrooms, four kindergarten classrooms, sixteen 1st grade through 4th grade classrooms, six 5th through 6th grade classrooms, five 7th through 8th grade classrooms, two science classrooms, two self-contained classrooms, two computer labs, an art room, vocal/music room, life skills classroom, technology classroom, and science lab.