New Gockley Elementary School

The Whitehall-Coplay School District is proud to announce the opening of the new Gockley Elementary School, a state-of-the-art facility designed to enhance learning and foster a strong sense of community. This highly anticipated project spans 93,480 square feet and provides a welcoming, engaging environment for up to 700 kindergarten through first-grade students.

Strategically located parallel to Zephyr Boulevard, the new school complements the surrounding landscape, integrating with the open green space inside the loop road. The facility has been designed to create a unified and cohesive campus.

Key Features of the New School:

Classroom Capacity: The building includes 13 Kindergarten classrooms and 13 First-Grade classrooms, as well as classrooms to service students receiving Special Education and English as a Second Language services. Small group classroom spaces are also utilized to provide math and reading interventions for the students. Each of these specially designed instructional spaces provides the capacity to meet the needs of all K-1 students within the community.

Efficient Layout: The two-story classroom wing is designed with efficiency in mind. Both floors feature identical layouts, with 16 classrooms and four small group rooms each. Central collaboration zones on both levels create a flexible, student-centered learning environment that encourages teamwork and interaction.

Centralized Lobby: At the heart of the school, a spacious central lobby serves as the main connection between the two-story classroom wing and the shared-use wing. This design promotes accessibility and provides an inviting entrance for students, staff, and visitors.

Library: The school’s library, located on the second floor directly above the main entrance, occupies a prominent position in the building. With expansive views to the east, the library is designed as a hub of learning, creativity, and exploration.

Multipurpose Room: The most iconic space in the building is the Multipurpose Room, which functions as a combined gymnasium, cafeteria, and auditorium. This versatile area is equipped to host physical education classes, school assemblies, and community events.

According to Denise Saylor, Principal of Gockley Elementary School, “the children learning at Gockley today are the community leaders of tomorrow.  Our District realizes the extreme importance of providing our K-1 students with a solid educational foundation as they embark on their journey from kindergarten to twelfth grade. The new elementary building will ensure that our students have the facilities and tools to begin realizing their potential."

The school’s design reflects the district’s commitment to creating a 21st-century learning environment that supports academic achievement, creativity, and personal growth. With its modern classrooms, collaborative spaces, and cutting-edge facilities, the new elementary school is poised to become a cornerstone of the Whitehall-Coplay School District for generations to come.