Elementary Transition Hub

On Oct. 20, 2025, the Lakewood Board of Education approved Superintendent Niedzwiecki's elementary facilities restructuring plan that includes the following elements:

Specialized Program Placement

● CHAMPS Classrooms: Move from Horace Mann Elementary School to the first floor of Hayes Elementary School to provide full accessibility for students with mobility needs.
● RISE Classrooms: Move from Emerson Elementary School to Horace Mann to better align with facility layout and available space.
● STARS Classrooms: Remain at Emerson, where the environment continues to meet program requirements.
● Gifted Self-Contained Classrooms: Move from Grant Elementary School to Hayes to optimize building classroom space.

Playground Accessibility & Improvement Plan

● Reinvest and update the playgrounds at Horace Mann and Emerson.
● Modify the Hayes playground to improve accessibility and add new ADA-compliant features.
● Evaluate and create a plan to update the other elementary playgrounds as necessary.

Facility Repurposing and Boundary Realignment

● Repurpose Lincoln Elementary School as the Lakewood City Schools Early Learning Center, which will provide before- and after-school care, as well as summer daycare options while ensuring efficient use of space and resources and maintaining equitable access for all students.
● REDRAW ATTENDANCE BOUNDARIES for the remaining six elementary schools to better reflect enrollment trends, walkability, and program distribution.

Implementation Timeline 

2027 – 2028 School Year:

● New boundaries go into effect
● Relocation of specialized classrooms take effect
● Lakewood City Schools Early Learning Center opens
● Upgrade Emerson Elementary playground

Spring 2026 – Fall 2026:

● Create transition teams and build roll out strategy
● Finalize boundaries
● Upgrade Horace Mann & Hayes playgrounds