MOUNTAIN SONG COMMUNITY SCHOOL

Located in the heart of Colorado Springs, the historic building now home to Mountain Song Community School has served generations of learners for over 100 years. Originally a traditional elementary school, the building has been transformed into a vibrant, Waldorf-inspired public charter school serving grades K through 8.

With support from a 2023–24 BEST (Building Excellent Schools Today) Grant, Mountain Song partnered with MOA ARCHITECTURE and Fransen Pittman to complete a major renovation and expansion. The design team worked closely with school leadership to balance preservation with progress, creating a learning environment that reflects the school’s mission and values.

At every stage, the design team returned to the guiding principles of Mountain Song Community School: Wonder, Truth, Beauty, and Goodness. These values shaped decisions around layout, materials, lighting, and more. The result is a safe, accessible, and nurturing learning environment that reflects the Waldorf approach and supports the whole child.

Project Highlights

• Secure Entry and Vestibule: The addition of a secure vestibule transformed school safety. Previously, visitors could enter the school without oversight. Now, staff have clear visibility and control over access to the building.
• Cafeteria and Kitchen Addition: The school now has the ability to safely store, prepare, and serve food, allowing participation in the National School Lunch Program for the first time. This new space also includes a teaching kitchen that supports the Agricultural Arts curriculum. Located next to the school’s large garden, the kitchen creates opportunities for hands-on learning and student-grown meals.
• Accessibility Improvements: The addition of an elevator and a wheelchair lift provides full access to all levels of the school. Before the renovation, injured or mobility-limited students had to be carried up and down stairs, which posed safety risks and access challenges.
• New Classrooms and Support Spaces: Additional classrooms and special education spaces give the school more flexibility to meet student needs. These spaces are designed to support inclusive learning and reflect the school’s educational model.
• Life Safety and Technology Upgrades: The renovation also included new security and communication systems, including intercoms, cameras, secure door hardware, and lockdown capabilities. These upgrades improve emergency response and campus-wide safety.

This renovation and addition project reflects the values and vision of a school deeply rooted in its community. Mountain Song Community School now has a facility that supports its mission and serves students for generations to come.

Check back on this page for updates and photos as the project progresses!