Every construction project tells a story, but some leave a lasting impact that extends far beyond boards and beams. Our recent completion of Peace Academy’s new facility is an investment in the future of Fargo’s youngest learners and their families.
Peace Academy’s Community Impact
Peace Academy is a place where play-based learning meets The Nurtured Heart Approach®, a relationship-based teaching method that helps children use their intensity in positive and successful ways. The organization goes beyond traditional daycare by offering monthly parent education sessions, creating a ripple effect that strengthens families throughout the community.
What makes Peace Academy truly special is its inclusive vision. The academy invites adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to volunteer in classrooms, gaining meaningful work and life experience while helping students develop awareness and appreciation for others with differing abilities. This approach creates a learning environment where every person has value and purpose.
Peace Academy also collaborates with OT Doctoral Students from UND and the University of Mary, bridging academic training with real-world early childhood development needs. It’s a model that benefits everyone involved: students gain hands-on experience, families receive enhanced care, and the broader community grows stronger.
Transforming Vision Into Reality
When Peace Academy approached Great States Construction, they had a clear vision but a significant challenge: an 18,000 square foot generic office space that needed to become a specialized early learning facility designed specifically for children’s development and safety.
This wasn’t a simple cosmetic update. The space required a complete transformation to meet the unique needs of infants through preschoolers, strict daycare licensing requirements, and the organization’s commitment to creating an environment where every child feels celebrated and safe.
From Gutted Walls to Gorgeous Classrooms
Our team began with complete interior demolition, stripping the space down to its bones. This allowed us to reimagine the entire layout, creating age-appropriate learning spaces tailored to Peace Academy’s play-based philosophy.
Infrastructure Built for Growing Minds
Plumbing System Redesign: We installed an entirely new plumbing system featuring classroom sinks positioned at kid-friendly heights. Those small details that make big differences in children’s independence and daily routines.
HVAC System with Zone Control: Children’s comfort isn’t one-size-fits-all. We completely reworked the HVAC system with zone control, allowing staff to adjust temperatures in different areas based on activity levels and age groups. Infants need warmer spaces, while active preschoolers thrive in slightly cooler environments.
Modern Electrical Systems: LED lighting, combined with occupancy sensors throughout the facility, creates an energy-efficient environment that ensures spaces are bright and welcoming. Proper lighting is crucial for early learning spaces, playing a role in everything from reading readiness to mood and behavior.
Safety First, Always
When it comes to facilities serving our youngest community members, safety is non-negotiable.
We redesigned the fire suppression system to exceed all safety compliance standards, installed new exterior doors, and integrated security access systems throughout the building. These systems give parents peace of mind knowing their children are protected, while staff can focus on nurturing young minds.
Details Designed for Little Ones
The finishing touches transformed the space from functional to exceptional:
- Custom cabinetry, cubbies, and storage solutions built throughout the facility ensure every age group has organized, accessible storage suited to their developmental stage
- Luxury vinyl tile flooring in offices and bathrooms provides durability and easy cleaning, which is critical in environments where spills are regular occurrences
- Premium carpet installation in all classrooms creates comfortable, noise-dampening play and learning areas where children can sit, crawl, and explore safely
- Acoustical ceiling systems control sound levels, reducing overstimulation and creating calmer learning environments where teachers’ voices are heard clearly
Spaces Designed for Active Learning
The facility features expansive areas dedicated to movement and exploration. The indoor gym spans approximately 3,000 square feet, providing a climate-controlled space where children can run, jump, and develop motor skills year-round, which is crucial during North Dakota’s harsh winters. This indoor play area ensures that the weather never interrupts active learning and physical development.
Complementing the interior space, we helped create a nearly 7,000 square foot outdoor play area where children can experience nature, fresh air, and unstructured play. Together, these 10,000 square feet of dedicated play space demonstrate Peace Academy’s commitment to the whole-child approach, recognizing that physical activity is just as important as classroom learning in early childhood development.
The Result: Where Children Thrive
The transformation of this 18,000 square foot space represents months of careful planning, skilled craftsmanship, and unwavering attention to detail. But the true measure of success isn’t in the square footage or the systems we installed—it’s in the environment we helped create.
Today, Peace Academy operates in a facility purpose-built for their mission. Every classroom sink at the perfect height, every cubby labeled with a child’s name, every door secure, and every carefully zoned temperature setting work together to create spaces where children can grow, play, and thrive safely.
Building More Than Buildings
At Great States Construction, we believe construction builds the infrastructure that supports thriving communities. Projects like Peace Academy remind us why we do what we do.
When parents drop their children off each morning, they’re trusting Peace Academy not just with care, but with their children’s development, safety, and happiness. We’re honored that Peace Academy trusted us to build an environment worthy of that responsibility.
This facility will serve Fargo families for generations. The children learning to read, make friends, and discover their potential within these walls will grow up to become our community’s teachers, healthcare workers, business owners, and leaders. In a very real sense, we’re building the foundation for our community’s future.
Interested in learning more about Peace Academy’s programs and philosophy? Visit pafargo.com.
Looking for a construction partner who understands the importance of community-focused projects? Great States Construction brings the same dedication to excellence whether we’re building learning centers, commercial spaces, or infrastructure projects. Let’s discuss how we can bring your vision to life.