Thompson Turner Construction provided CM At-Risk services for the new Wellford Academy of Science and Technology, a 126,867 SF two-story elementary school constructed on an active campus for Spartanburg School District Five. Designed to replace the district’s oldest elementary facility, the new school accommodates up to 900 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and was strategically phased to allow continuous operation of the existing building throughout construction. Upon completion, the original structure was demolished, enabling a smooth and disruption-free transition.
The construction scope included extensive sitework, underground utilities, and careful coordination to build the new facility directly behind the existing school without interrupting day-to-day learning activities. The building was designed with structural and systems flexibility to support evolving instructional models and STEM-focused programming. Classrooms are equipped with advanced technology infrastructure, while specialized spaces such as a dedicated 3D Design Lab with eight Dremel Digilab 3D printers, a robotics and coding lab, and an innovation lab support hands-on, project-based learning.
The facility also features collaborative commons, multipurpose areas, art rooms, a media center, a full-size gymnasium, and hydroponic learning gardens—all built to foster cross-disciplinary engagement and real-world problem solving. The design reflects a blend of the region’s agricultural heritage and modern industrial growth, aligning with newer facilities across the district. High-speed connectivity, integrated AV systems, and flexible learning zones ensure the building remains as dynamic and future-ready as the students it serves.