Riverside School District Plans Buckeye Elementary Expansion

Two concept plans include 12-classroom addition and new gymnasium

Feb. 3, 2026 at 6:31am

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Riverside School District officials are working with construction and design teams to advance a planned addition to Buckeye Elementary School later this year. ThenDesign Architecture developed two concept plans that include a 12-classroom addition and a new gymnasium.

Why it matters

The expansion aims to address growing enrollment and space needs at Buckeye Elementary, which serves a key role in the Riverside community. The project will provide much-needed additional classroom and activity space for students.

The details

The two concept plans show different configurations for the addition, with one proposing a two-story structure behind the school's western wing and the other placing the gymnasium behind the 12 new classrooms. The plans are still in the early stages, with the district noting the designs are not finalized.

  • The school district plans to break ground on the Buckeye Elementary addition later this year.

The players

Riverside School District

The public school district serving the Riverside, California community.

ThenDesign Architecture

The architecture firm that developed the two concept plans for the Buckeye Elementary expansion.

Ryan Schmit

A representative from ThenDesign Architecture who presented the concept plans to the school board.

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What they’re saying

“I want everybody to take the plans with a grain of salt in the sense that they are looking at size and space, they are not the designs necessarily, so there is nuance.”

— Ryan Schmit, ThenDesign Architecture Representative

What’s next

The school district will continue to work with ThenDesign Architecture to finalize the design plans for the Buckeye Elementary addition, with the goal of breaking ground on the project later this year.

The takeaway

The planned expansion of Buckeye Elementary demonstrates the Riverside School District's commitment to providing quality educational facilities and meeting the evolving needs of the community.