RSU 39 School Campus

Project Manager with PDT Architects

LOCATION Caribou, Maine

CLIENT Eastern Aroostook RSU 39

SIZE 123,000 SF

STATUS Under Construction, Scheduled completion 2021

The RSU 39 project is a new 750 student PreK-8 school located in the northern most tip of Maine. This new school replaces 3 old and failing schools with one consolidated structure. The new building is sited between two of the existing schools, on what was a public park. This project also included the relocation of the park across the street with approvals required by the National Parks Service, as well as the redevelopment of the existing school parcels to become parking and playfields. 

A main spine through the school travels up the site. This spine connects shared spaces with the different grade levels. A major programmatic piece of the school is the "Innovation Center" - a series of spaces that replace the existing middle school Industrial Arts Program. The new innovation center brings the old IA programs together with newer robotics and technology programs for all grade levels. 

Parties involved in decision making included the RSU 39 Building Committee, the City of Caribou and Park and Recreation Department, and the Maine Department of Education. 

The school is currently under a +/- $40 million construction contract with scheduled completion in 2021.