PHOENIX, AZ — McCarthy Building Companies recently broke ground on Washington Elementary School District’s Arroyo campus, which will include a new K-8 classroom building and gym as well as demolition of the existing classroom buildings. The Washington Elementary School District is Arizona’s largest elementary district, comprised of 32 schools, serving more than 23,000 students and encompassing 44 square miles of north-central Phoenix and east Glendale.
Originally built in 1974, Arroyo School serves approximately 600 students from kindergarten through eighth grade. Located in Glendale, Arizona, Arroyo is a Title I school that offers high academics, free, full-day kindergarten, art, music, physical education, gifted education and an After-School Academy.
“The ceremonial groundbreaking was a great way to celebrate a dream that will soon become a reality,” said Arroyo Principal Philip Liles. “Our students, staff and neighbors have been looking forward to our newly constructed school since the day our community passed the bond in November 2016. We’re excited for construction to begin, and we look forward to continuing the great learning that takes place every day at Arroyo in our new school in 2020.”
The $16.2-million project includes 74,600 square feet of new facilities including classrooms, a gym, parking, drop-off area and play fields. Once the new classroom building is complete in the summer of 2020, the remaining old buildings will be demolished, making way for the construction of new parking and play fields.
“We’re honored to work with the Arroyo school community, which values education and being engaged in the renovation of their school campus,” said Mike Horn, Project Director for the Education Services team at McCarthy. “We look forward to bringing big changes to the campus over the next school year while ensuring the students and staff do not have to endure any major construction-related disruptions.”
“At BWS Architects, we believe in creating enriching learning environments where students and educators can discover and grow together,” said BWS Architects Design Principal Frank Slingerland. “We greatly appreciate our partnership with McCarthy Building Companies and the Washington Elementary School District as we bring our collective vision to life and create long-lasting pride for the Arroyo school community.” 
McCarthy Building Companies is the general contractor for the project and BWS Architects is the architect. The project is being funded through a 2016 voter-approved bond election. The new school buildings will be completed in May 2020 with completion of the play fields and parking expected in October 2020.