A Better Barnard - Campus Completed!

Soltek is proud to celebrate the successful completion ofthe Barnard Mandarin Magnet Elementary Whole Site Modernization project, yetanother successful Soltek project delivered for the San Diego Unified SchoolDistrict!

From Planning to Progress

From preconstruction services through GMP #1 and GMP #2, the Barnard project team worked together to transform the campus into a more modern, welcoming, functional, and student-centered learning environment. What began with early planning and phased construction has now come full circle, resulting in a refreshed campus that will serve Barnard students, staff, and families for years to come.

The project, divided into three stages, began with preconstruction,where Soltek provided services to help support the planning, coordination, andsuccessful delivery of the project.

GMP #1 included the installation of a new driveway at Fogg Street, temporary fencing at the Joint Use Field, six relocatable classrooms for interim student housing, temporary power/data/intercom/fire alarm support, removal of eight existing portable classrooms, and installation of a new campus fire hydrant.

GMP #2 represented the major transformation of thecampus. This work included interior improvements throughout five buildings,reconfiguration of the administration building, a new pick-up/drop-off andparking area, a new approximately 8,000-square-foot single-story kindergartenbuilding, a 5,000- square-foot exterior play area, new shade structures,asphalt and concrete pavement resurfacing, beautiful vibrant Barnard signaturered exterior paint throughout the campus, new exterior learning spaces, afuture garden/seating area, new bottle filler/drinking fountains, new bikeracks per Cal Green code, and new electrical infrastructure for future campussecurity cameras.

‍A CampusTransformation Worth Celebrating

The completed modernization brings meaningful improvementsacross the entire campus. From updated classroom and administrative spaces toimproved circulation, outdoor learning areas, upgraded play spaces, new shadestructures, refreshed exterior finishes, and enhanced campus infrastructure,the project touched nearly every corner of the school.

One of the most memorable milestones came with the turnover of the new Kindergarten building, Building 500. To celebrate the moment, Barnard’s kindergarten students surprised the project team with handmade thank-you signs, a colorful and heartfelt reminder of who this work is ultimately for. The signs quickly became more than a sweet gesture; they turned into unofficial jobsite décor, proudly displayed in the team’s workspace until their final departure from campus. Surrounded by construction drawings, schedules, and punch lists, those student-made signs brought a little extra joy. They served as a daily reminder of the excitement, appreciation, and lasting impact this project created for the Barnard community.

Building Relationships

Throughout the project, the Soltek team built strong relationships with the district, school staff, and project partners. The team’s professionalism and stellar communication helped create a positive experienceon campus from start to finish.

Sally Visits Barnard

Barnard was also one of the more recent hosts of Soltek’s Sallythe Soltek Superintendent readings, bringing story time directly into the classroom. The events were held in five separate classrooms and drew a combinedtotal of approximately 100 students.

Thank You to Our Barnard Team

The success of Barnard was not only measured by completedscope, schedule milestones, and finished buildings, but also by the trust builtalong the way. A huge thank-you to the entire Barnard project team for theirhard work and commitment to delivering a successful project.