The Back to School: Building Spaces for Students

By Greg Goette | Holland Construction Services

With the first bell of the school year ringing, students across the region are walking into buildings that look and feel a little different. This summer, our teams worked side-by-side with districts to deliver updates and new facilities designed to make schools safer, more welcoming, and better equipped for modern learning. Here’s a look at some of the projects that came together in time for the new school year.

Edwardsville School District #7

Seven schools across Edwardsville saw upgrades before classes began.

• High School: Students now have access to a new common area designed to handle an additional 900 students, giving them more space to connect between classes. The project also included a grab-and-go food station, updated restrooms, and refreshed study and event spaces.
• Elementary & Middle Schools: Six schools throughout the district received new secure entryways and other improvements to strengthen safety and enhance the learning environment.

These updates reflect a district-wide commitment to safety, accessibility, and student wellbeing.

Venice Elementary School

The families of Venice welcomed a brand-new school this fall—a milestone project years in the making.

The facility includes bright classrooms, a cafeteria and gymnasium, an innovation lab, administrative offices, and a storm shelter for protection during severe weather. Beyond the classroom, new soccer and baseball fields, a basketball court, and playgrounds create a versatile space for both students and the broader community.

Superintendent Dr. Cynthia Tolbert shared, “Holland did not just build us a school. They helped build a stronger future for the students and families of Venice.”

North Mac High School

Students and athletes at North Mac returned to a new gymnasium complex designed to serve both the school and the surrounding community.

The facility features:

• A welcoming entry lobby
• Competition-grade flooring
• Locker rooms and a training room
• Weight training facilities
• Concessions and restrooms

It’s more than a gym—it’s a central hub for student athletics, events, and community gatherings. This marks our fourth collaboration with North Mac, and we’re proud to continue building spaces that support their students and community.

Carlyle Community Unit School District #1

At Carlyle, multiple projects came together this summer to improve safety and performance.

• Secure classroom door upgrades across district facilities
• Installation of new fire sprinklers
• Updated AC systems in all three gyms
• A new turf athletic field and all-weather track at the high school

The work carried a special connection: Project Superintendent Kenny Gustafson is a Carlyle graduate, and Project Engineer Brendan Kuhl is a Carlyle resident. Their personal ties to the community brought an extra layer of pride to the project. To meet the deadline, the team delivered over $2 million of work each month. This marks our second project with the district in the past five years and continues a valued 20-year partnership.

The Bigger Picture

This summer’s work is just part of a broader effort. To date, Holland has completed more than 60 K-12 projects, representing over 2.5 million square feet of educational space and $500 million in construction value.

These projects include:

• Secure entryways to improve safety
• Storm shelters for severe weather protection
• ADA upgrades for accessibility
• Flexible learning and community spaces

Each project is more than a construction job, it’s a partnership with districts to support their mission of providing safe, effective, and inspiring environments for students.

That spirit of collaboration is evident not only in the outcomes but also in how our teams approach the work. Ryan Savage, Vice President of Client Relations, puts it best:

“I’m proud of our team’s ability to manage and deliver multiple K–12 projects at once. With active work happening across 13 districts in Illinois and Missouri, we’re grateful for the trust our school partners continue to place in us. That trust, especially when it leads to repeat work, is a real credit to the depth, talent, and dedication of our people.”

Many of those team members live in the very communities we serve. They’re not just building schools,  they’re sending their own kids back to them this fall. That personal connection adds meaning to the work and reinforces our commitment to doing it right.

Looking Ahead

As students settle into new classrooms, gymnasiums, and common spaces, we’re reminded of what these projects really mean: futures supported, teachers equipped, and communities strengthened.

The back-to-school season may only last a few weeks, but the impact of these projects will carry forward for years. Holland remains committed to working with districts across the region to ensure facilities not only meet today’s needs, but anticipate tomorrow’s.

Back to school, built better with Holland.