Creighton Breaks Ground on Biltmore Prep, Reimagining Campus Around Dual Immersion Learning

• CESD’s new campus will feature a combined 86,000 square feet of learning space that celebrates Biltmore Prep’s dual immersion learning model
• Through a phased approach, the campus will remain fully operational during construction of new buildings.
• The project is scheduled to be completed in Winter 2027, with students transitioning to new classrooms in time for the 2027-2028 school year.

Creighton Elementary School District (Creighton) recently broke ground on its comprehensive campus replacement project for Biltmore Preparatory Academy, which will provide entirely new infrastructure to accommodate increased student populations and modernized, collaborative learning. With design from SPS+ Architects and construction from McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. (McCarthy), this project – located just east of 32nd Street along Highland Avenue – aims to celebrate the unique biliterate learning culture and rich history of the Biltmore Prep community through redefined campus design.

“This project represents a historic milestone for our community, and we are incredibly proud to lead Creighton’s first-ever active campus rebuild,” said Creighton School District leadership. “Our priority is ensuring that our students remain safely engaged in their learning without missing a beat, even as a brand-new future rises right beside them. We aren't just building classrooms; we are creating a space that celebrates our rich, biliterate culture and mirrors the vibrancy of the Latin American heritages we honor every day. We hope our families feel a deep sense of pride in this investment, as it provides our students with the modern, high-tech environment they deserve while keeping the 'family feel' that makes Biltmore Prep so special."

As Creighton’s first-ever active campus rebuild, the project will ensure students can remain engaged in learning without disruptions due to construction. Biltmore Prep’s reimagined campus will bring to life a brand-new administration and cafeteria building, and a two-story elementary classroom building with modernized K-5 classrooms. With its dual immersion teaching model, where students transition from English to Spanish learning throughout the week, every space has been thoughtfully designed with color and texture tied to the language of instruction. Students will associate the physical learning environment with the learning content.

The two-story middle school building will house all sixth through eighth grade classes, featuring a state-of-the-art media and learning center, hands-on STEM labs, a maker space, and dedicated rooms for music and the arts. The crown jewel is a ‘learning stair’ — a large amphitheater-style staircase designed to provide flexible reading spaces, group work, and collaboration for students. 

Each building will feature distinct, vibrant collaboration spaces, equipped with flexible seating to encourage students to engage in bilingual conversations and create opportunities for inspiration and creativity within these multicultural areas.

Tying it all together, the campus will make great use of its existing multipurpose gymnasium (built in 2019) as a central hub for play and gathering throughout construction. All four buildings will frame a stunning central courtyard anchored by a larger outdoor learning stair as a key architectural feature, cascading from the second story of the elementary building into the courtyard. This feature will provide opportunities for outdoor classes, student performances, assemblies, and parent-teacher events.

"The Creighton District started the project with a lofty goal, to go beyond the surface and embody biliteracy at a deeper level, in materials, spatial relations and site planning,” said Morgan Ellis, K-12 director at SPS+ Architects. “As an architect, these are the projects we dream of."

True to the school’s identity, community members can expect the project to embrace opportunities to engage with students and staff in both Spanish and English as all communication and signage surrounding the project will be conducted in both languages.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to officially break ground and bring this campus rebuild to life,” said Project Director Paul Kubik. “McCarthy has had the honor of walking these halls, supporting this campus, and being a part of this community over the years, and we are excited for this next chapter for BPA. Every time we take on a campus rebuild, we have the privilege of becoming ingrained into the school’s culture, and that runs especially deep here. The dual immersion culture is one of the core features of Biltmore Prep, and we’re beyond excited to celebrate and honor that identity through every space we build.”

Throughout construction, the project team has planned unique opportunities to engage students in the construction process. Through student tours, artistic expression opportunities, and hands-on activities and demonstrations to support STEM learning, students will get to help shape the future of Biltmore Prep as construction progresses.

With the project scheduled to complete around November 2027, the newly reimagined Biltmore Prep will celebrate the long-standing culture of the community while expanding the school’s capacity from nearly 500 students and 60 staff to roughly 750 students and 75 staff.

About Creighton Elementary School District

The Creighton School District, located in Phoenix, Arizona, is committed to developing adventurous thinkers, collaborative learners, and kind-hearted leaders. Serving a diverse student population across nine unique school campuses, the district focuses on educating the "whole child" by integrating rigorous academics with social-emotional learning and community-based resources.

Creighton is home to several award-winning programs and schools, including Apple Distinguished Schools and the A+ School of Excellence® award-winning Biltmore Preparatory Academy. The district offers specialized learning models such as Spanish Dual Language Immersion, Project-Based Learning (PBL), and Arts Integration. Through strong partnerships with organizations like the Creighton Family Resource Center, the district works to eliminate barriers to student success and prepare all learners for a future as entrepreneurial leaders and critical thinkers in the global workforce. To learn more, visit www.CreightonSchools.org

About SPS+ Architects

SPS+ Architects is a Phoenix- and Tucson-based architecture firm with more than 66 years of practice focused on K–12 education, campus renovation, and community facilities across Arizona. The firm offers architectural design, interior design, and construction administration services, and has completed more than 3,200 projects to date. SPS+ operates as a collaborative practice dedicated to long-term client relationships and repeat work across Arizona's schools, healthcare, multifamily, and municipal sectors. Learn more and see project examples at spsplusarchitects.com.

About McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. is the oldest privately held national construction company in the country, with nearly 160 years spent collaborating with partners to solve complex building challenges on behalf of its clients. With an unrelenting focus on safety and a comprehensive quality program that spans all phases of every project, McCarthy utilizes industry-leading design phase and construction techniques combined with value-add technology to maximize outcomes. 

With approximately 7,400 salaried employees and craft professionals, the firm has offices in St. Louis; Atlanta; Collinsville, Ill.; Kansas City, Kan.; Omaha, Neb.; Phoenix; Las Vegas; Denver; Austin, Channelview, Dallas, and Houston, Texas; and San Diego, Newport Beach, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose and Sacramento, Calif. McCarthy is 100 percent employee-owned. More information is available at www.mccarthy.com.