Old Miner Elementary School: Historic Preservation & Early Childhood Center

Project Overview

Old Miner Elementary School sits alongside Miner Elementary School in Ward 7, Washington, DC, within a historic building originally constructed in 1901. The solution was a $15 million renovation for DC Public Schools (DCPS) that stabilized and preserved the historic structure while transforming it into a new Early Childhood Education (ECE) Center, reimagining the interior while keeping the building's historic character and external features intact. The project design was developed by Shinberg.Levinas, with Chiaramonte Construction Company serving as general contractor on the design-build team.

Our Role & Scope of Work

CCC served as general contractor on the design-build renovation of the historic Old Miner building, delivering the complete renovation of the existing structure to create new early childhood learning spaces, including a new food service space, nine classrooms, and multiple discovery commons, instructional support, and administrative areas. The scope also included new outdoor play areas and equipment for the early childhood program, along with a covered walkway connecting the Old Miner facility to Miner Elementary School. The completed ECE Center was designed to LEED Gold standards, incorporating bioretention areas, low-flow plumbing fixtures, and energy-saving lighting. The project opened in time for the 2024-25 school year.

Community Impact

This renovation preserved a piece of Ward 7's history while giving DCPS's youngest students, including Pre-K3 and Pre-K4 scholars, a modernized, light-filled space to learn and grow. With capacity for 140 students, the Old Miner building now serves as a beautiful and sustainable extension of Miner Elementary School, giving families in the neighborhood a strong foundation for their children's earliest school experiences.