Back in 2023, Conklin Elementary launched an International Baccalaureate (IB) Candidate School for K-5th grade students, a program that promotes international education.
This school year, the IB program was offered for 6th graders as well.
Conklin Principal Brad Smith said he has seen the benefits of the program and wanted to see it grow even more.
“It’s a tremendous honor to have it, because at the end of the day, the level of education that the students are receiving is at a much higher level than what they’re used to,” Smith said.
Smith said he was first introduced to the idea for a new building at Conklin two years ago, and since then, the project has taken off.
Rockford Public Schools (RPS) District 205 board members approved a $7.4 million bid Tuesday night from Stenstrom Construction to begin working on the expansion of the school.
“We would like to keep the kids here so that we can see them through eighth grade,” Smith said. “Then we can determine where the where the program is going to head after that.”
An entire new building, with intentions of running as a junior high school, is set to be built with a new gymnasium, a new cafeteria, office spaces and classrooms.
Director of Design and Construction for RPS Scott Jensen said the total project costs are around $20 million, accounted for in the district’s Facilities Master Plan.
“We had designated $180 million that are going to be spent within the next five years,” Jensen said. “This is a part of that.”
Jensen said the new building will also have spaces for elective classes.
“We have additional spaces,” Jensen said. “One is called a makerspace, and another would be art. We also have music that would be in the building, all the classes that support the academic programs.”
Smith said he is excited for the opportunities the expansion will bring to the students.
“We need to up our standards for the students and this is the place that we want to do it through,” Smith said. “Once they graduate with the IB certificate and the diploma, it’s just tremendous for our students. We want to open those doors and those opportunities for our students because they deserve it.”
Construction is set to begin this summer.
For the 2025-2026 school year, 7th graders will be welcomed at Conklin, taking classes in two temporary buildings.
The new building is expected to be complete for the 2026-2027 school year, where it will then welcome 7th and 8th grade students.
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