Fletcher Miller School

Creating a Transformative Campus for Every Learner

Lakewood, CO

When designing facilities for students with severe physical and developmental disabilities, every detail matters. The new Fletcher Miller School in Lakewood represents a complete transformation of how specialized education facilities can serve their communities, replacing a 1960-era building with a purpose-built environment that puts accessibility and therapeutic support at its core.

This 67,884 SF educational facility serves an extraordinary population – 90% of students use wheelchairs and require extensive medical support throughout their school day. What makes this project remarkable isn’t just its size or $26.2 million investment, but the intricate planning required to create a space that functions simultaneously as a school, therapy center, and medical facility.

The building’s design immediately signals its unique purpose. Wide corridors accommodate multiple wheelchairs moving together, while suspended indirect lighting throughout eliminates harsh shadows that could disorient students with visual processing challenges. Split-face brick and alternating recessed patterns create visual interest on the exterior, complemented by strategically placed metal panels and an impressive high hallway featuring elevated storefront windows that flood interior spaces with natural light.

Inside, specialized environments address specific therapeutic needs. Sensory rooms feature color-changing lights, sound-dampening materials, and wall padding, creating controlled spaces where students can engage with adaptive switches and unique sensory devices. The therapy gym provides space for physical rehabilitation, while specialized hygiene rooms include patient lifts that move throughout the room and motorized changing tables capable of supporting up to 600 pounds.

One of the most innovative features is the book conveyor system – essentially a customized transport system where students can use their individual adaptive switches to control movement, promoting independence and engagement. These small victories in autonomy make tremendous differences in students’ daily experiences.

Construction required exceptional coordination while the existing school remained operational. We maintained ADA-compliant routes throughout the active campus, managed delivery schedules around school pickup and drop-off times, and even accommodated annual track meets that temporarily halted construction. The project team navigated steel delivery challenges and complex firewall construction while ensuring continuous safe passage for students and staff.

Our team self-performed the playground construction, adding hands-on expertise to this specialized recreational area designed for students with mobility challenges. The 18-month timeline allowed for the careful attention to detail these specialized systems demanded.

Project Facts

Industry Sector: Educational
Cost: $28,547,000
Size: 67,884 SF
Delivery Method: Construction Management, CM at Risk
Owner: Jefferson County School District
Architect: MOA Architecture