W.A. Johnson School serves approximately 675 students in Grades K-5 who live north of Irving Park Road or south of Irving Park Road and west of Church Road.

Building Overview

W.A. Johnson School originally opened in 1958 following a post-World War II building boom.

However, it re-opened as an an expanded and completely rennoveated school in August 2013, and merged its population with that of nearby Mohawk School, an undersized, deteriorating school originally built on the northside of the District in 1955. (The Mohawk site is now a neighborhood built and maintained by the District.)

This was part of a $48 million facility renewal effort that brought 21st century learning environments to all BSD2 students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade.

W.A. Johnson School was built with student collaboration and technology as the centerpiece of design, and includes the following design, technology, and safty features.

Design and Technology Highlights

Design

• Design elements that provide flexibility, adaptability, and variety.
• Provides opportunities for 21st century learning through team teaching, peer tutoring, cooperative learning, and project-based learning with flex spaces for each classroom and for each group of five or six classrooms.
• Appropriate aspects of a high-efficiency building design such as daylight harvesting controls – dimming lights when sun is bright, occupancy sensors that turn lights off when room is vacant, and state-of-the-art heating, ventilation and air conditioning.
• Adequate natural light in all classrooms and learning areas.
• Design allows for community access to gym, cafeteria, and learning centers after the school day.

Technology

• High-speed internet and wireless system that will allow for multiple mobile users capable of streaming video throughout the buildings.
• New phone system with phones and voicemail for every classroom.
• New projectors with Apple TV, which allows easy broadcasting and student collaboration from iPads.

Safety

• New entries allow staff to view visitors before being buzzed inside.
• All classroom windows have specialized one-way blinds that allow for staff and students to see the outside but anyone on the outside cannot see in. These shades will be drawn in any emergency.