Pure Architects was tasked with re-converting 44,000 sf back into a school and separating the academy from the church in the remaining 19,000 sf. This required recertification for the building to meet life safety and accessibility requirements of the new school. Close coordination with the City of Grand Rapids, neighbors, and parents was also required.

This project included 13 classrooms, a multi-purpose gym, and a number of staff and support spaces, which included an admin office and a secure entry. Gerald Dawkins was designed to accommodate kindergarten through third grade with the opportunity to add fourth and fifth grade in the future.