The school is organized into six pods: one designated for pre-kindergarten, one for kindergarten, and four blending grades one through five. This mixed-age configuration creates a mentorship ecosystem, encouraging younger students to learn from older peers. The school employs a free address learning model, where neither students nor teachers are assigned fixed spaces. Instead, they flow through a variety of classroom sizes and configurations throughout the day.

The total program square footage is divided into blocks.

The blocks are dispersed along Main Street.

The blocks are pushed and pulled to create unique spaces.

Central to Ashleaf’s design is the concept of a small-town school, embodied by its “Main Street.” This primary corridor serves as a dynamic artery, linking the pods, exploratory area, and the outdoors. Main Street is not just a passageway but a space for interaction and communication, cultivating a sense of connection among students and staff.

The interior design of Ashleaf Elementary reinforces its innovative approach to education. Each pod is assigned a distinct color palette to enhance wayfinding along Main Street and provide a visual identity for each learning community. Unique furniture is strategically incorporated throughout the spaces, promoting the school’s dynamic and engaging learning style. These elements not only support functionality but also foster creativity, excitement, and a sense of belonging among students and staff.

The site further enhances collaborative learning with outdoor spaces that extend beyond the classroom. These include outdoor classrooms, an open air cafeteria, and STEM-focused spaces, designed to promote hands-on, experiential learning in a natural setting.

An outdoor ampether is a gathering space that brings the community together for performances, presentations, and events. Designed to inspire creativity and collaboration, it serves as a dynamic learning environment where students can showcase their talents and engage with the community in meaningful ways. The outdoor cafeteria serves as a vibrant hub for community engagement, hosting school events, family gatherings, and local celebrations. This space fosters stronger connections between students during school hours, and the community during all times of the year.

Ashleaf Elementary evokes the feeling of a close-knit school community by offering small scale, unique, learning pods and exploratory spaces that all connect back to the place where people in any small town gather- The Main Street