Ludlow Renovation
The Ludlow building will serve as a dedicated space for early learning, providing a nurturing and educational environment for the District's youngest students. Supporting the developmental needs of preschool children, it will play a crucial role in fostering a strong foundation for lifelong learning.
our vision
The renovated Ludlow school building will be home to the Ludlow Early Learning Center PreK program beginning in the 2025-2026 school year. This space is designed with early learning in mind, featuring easy access to restrooms, spaces to accommodate occupational and physical therapy, preschool-aged playground equipment and outdoor learning spaces, flexible furniture designed for our youngest learners, smart storage and more.
The Ludlow school building will have 12 classrooms, a physical therapy room, a gymnasium, a multipurpose room and a secure vestibule entrance. The renovated Ludlow building will continue to serve the community with updated playground equipment for all school-aged children and maintain the current athletic fields.
MASTER FACILITIES PLAN
The Ludlow renovation project is a part of the District's Long-Term Master Facilities Plan.
Preschool program
The expanded Shaker Heights Schools preschool program is set to open in the renovated Ludlow school building in August of 2025.
Ludlow Renovation Updates
Selective exterior demolition is completed at the entrance to service the new fenced-in outdoor play area.
Shared light and additional electrical and plumbing improvements are completed in a hallway.
Following selective interior demolition, new ceiling panels and mechanical infrastructure are installed.
Framing, electrical and plumbing improvements are completed in spaces awaiting drywall.
Following selective demolition in December and January, new heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) duct work is being installed.
As a part of the renovation plan, many original features in the building, such as hardwood floors, are being saved and reconditioned.
As framing of the new Ludlow Early Learning Center classrooms gets underway, contractors are preparing to start installing drywall.
Framing of new classrooms continues in advance of the installation of new plumbing and electrical systems throughout the building.
More extensive demolition allows the architects, engineers and contractors to evaluate the structural conditions of the building before construction begins.
renovation on-time and on-budget
The Ludlow renovation is moving forward as planned. Contractors have proceeded with exterior wall demolition in order to build a new vestibule, where students will enter the building. Excavation and cleaning of masonry is taking place on the outside of the building, in addition to removal and patching of limestone pieces. Wood floor staining in classrooms and light fixture installation in corridors on the second floor has begun, as well.
As we enter into the summer season, contractors will continue with final pieces of the Ludlow renovation, including painting classrooms, staining floors, and building out the vestibule. The building will open in July 2025 for Shaker Heights Schools staff to prepare for the upcoming school year!
Recent Ludlow Renovation News
The Shaker Heights Schools were recognized as the 2025 National Network of Partnership Schools (NNPS) Universal PreKindergarten (UPK) Award Winner!
During his 17 years in public education, Mr. Caroff has held a wide variety of school leadership positions.
Contractors have proceeded with exterior wall demolition in order to build a new vestibule, where students will enter the building. Excavation and cleaning of masonry is taking place on the outside of the building, in addition to removal and patching of limestone pieces. Wood floor staining in classrooms and light fixture installation in corridors on the second floor has begun, as well.
Members of the Board of Education and District administrators toured Ludlow earlier this week. The Ludlow renovation is progressing on-time and on-budget. The District will appear before the Board of Zoning Appeals on May 6 for a variance for the Ludlow playground.
A member of the District leadership team attended the Ludlow Community Association meeting in early May. A traffic flow plan was shared with members of the association, in addition to renderings of the Ludlow playground. Residents shared their satisfaction with the expansion of the Ludlow playground to include equipment for preschool and older children.
n order to provide for intentional start-of-school orientation time for students, particularly for those students who are transitioning to new buildings or who are new to the District, Shaker Heights Schools is planning to continue the use of a staggered start for the 2025-2026 school year.
The Winter 2025 issue of Shaker Life magazine features the new Ludlow Early Learning Center. Shaker Heights residents received a copy of Shaker Life in their mailboxes in January.
Interior demolition is complete and renovation work has begun. The construction manager is preparing cost estimates for the extended play area and site amenities.