Case Study
Mansfield ISD: Dr. Sarah K. Jandrucko Academy for Early Learners
The Client
Mansfield Independent School District is a forward-thinking district in North Texas with a commitment to academic excellence and early literacy. In 2019, the district opened the Dr. Sarah K. Jandrucko Academy for Early Learners, a first-of-its-kind facility created to immerse Pre-K students in interactive, themed environments designed to spark a love of learning from the start. Named in honor of longtime educator Dr. Sarah Jandrucko, an early advocate for experiential education, the Academy stands as a tribute to her vision for closing achievement gaps through innovative, play-based instruction.
The Need
Mansfield ISD sought to address early gaps in literacy and language development by reimagining what early education could look like. Rather than expanding traditional classrooms, the district envisioned a purpose-built facility that would support Kindergarten readiness through exploration, imagination, and child-led discovery. The goal was to create an environment that aligned with developmental research, promoted equity, and supported the district’s early literacy initiative.
The Solution
Exploration Zones by Exhibit Concepts partnered with Mansfield ISD to design, fabricate, and install sixteen permanent experiential learning spaces within a 13,000-square-foot facility. Each classroom was developed around a central theme and grouped into four immersive pods:
Exploration: Ocean, Polar, Savanna, Tropics
Investigation: My Greenhouse, Pet Central, Wonderful Amazing Me, Zoo
Interaction: Community, Construction, Savvy’s Market, Our World
Navigation: Let’s Get Going, Journey in Time, Space, Wonderland
The hands-on environments were designed to support foundational literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional development through multisensory learning. In collaboration with district educators, Exhibit Concepts also created theme-based educator guides and curated classroom materials aligned to early learning standards. Each resource was developmentally appropriate and supported child-led, play-based instruction without relying on desk-bound work or worksheets.
The Takeaway
The Dr. Sarah K. Jandrucko Academy for Early Learners delivered on its vision to reimagine early childhood education. With 16 immersive classrooms designed to align with how young children naturally learn, the Academy created an environment where exploration, curiosity, and play are the foundation for literacy and numeracy development. The design approach empowered teachers, engaged students, and reflected the district’s deep commitment to equity and innovation. The Academy quickly became a source of pride within the Mansfield community and a powerful example of how experiential design can transform early learning environments.
The Update
The success of the Dr. Sarah K. Jandrucko Academy for Early Learners continues to shape the future of early education within Mansfield ISD and beyond. The Academy has hosted hundreds of district tours since opening, inspiring educational leaders across Texas to explore immersive learning environments for their youngest students. In May 2024, Mansfield ISD passed a new bond that includes funding for a second Early Learners Academy, reaffirming the district’s commitment to expanding access to high-quality, experience-based early childhood education.
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The Partners
- Designer: Exploration Zones by Exhibit Concepts®
- Permanent Classrooms: 16
- Themes: 16
- Size: 13,000 sq. ft.
- Completion: 2019
- Architect: Huckabee
- General Contractor: Bartlett Cocke
