Mercer Elementary
Originally Constructed: 1952
Original Architect: ?
Addition: 1957
Building History:
Mercer has been in continuous use as an elementary school since its initial construction.
Costs for renovation of Mercer are funded by a portion of the bond levy approved by voters on the November 2023 ballot (Issue 13).
2025 Enrollment: 404 students (grades K-5)
(67 per grade average)
2024 Enrollment: 309 students (grades K-4)
(62 per grade average)
2019 Enrollment: 352 students
(70 per grade average)
2015 Enrollment: 355 students
(71 per grade average)
2024 Bldg. Capacity: 565 students
Playground: The playground area is approx. 26,700 sq. feet (19,300 sq. ft. playground, 7,400 sq. ft. paved play area).
Other Site amenities: The Mercer property includes generous play field areas with two baseball diamonds with backstops as well as additional open field areas available for community use.
The District maintains a page with information about the elementary school renovations here.
Renovation Architect: RPMI*
Architectural/engineering services and reimbursable expenses are performed under a $12 million blanket contract for facilities master plan work.
*RPMI is performing the project architectural work in partnership with GPD Group. They have divided responsibilities for the elementary schools between the two firms; RPMI has the primary responsibility for Mercer Elementary.
Construction Manager: Gilbane Building Co.
Building Area: 76,818 sq. ft.
Site Area: 8.75 acres
Project Construction Budget:
Current budget: $19,345,149
Unit Cost: $252 per sq. ft. total project
Project Schedule:
Design Start: January 2026
Design approvals: TBD - fall '26?
Drawings complete: December 2026
Construction Start*: June 2027
Anticipated Revised StartJune 2028
Scheduled Finish: July 2028
Anticipated Revised Finish July 2029
*Mercer students will be relocated to the current Shaker Middle School campus during the 2027-28 school year for the construction period, sharing the building with Lomond students
School Start in Renovated Building
Scheduled: August 2028
Anticipated Revised School Start August 2029
Shared facilities: Design approaches to allow community use of Mercer interior spaces have not yet been publicly presented.
Key Project Issues
The elementary schools have many issues in common. Refer to the Schools page on this website for further information regarding the intended project scopes as well as issues that may require exploration.
Community meeting
An initial "Meet the Architects" event was held on February 17, 2026 at Mercer. Architects presented information on the project schedule and scope.
Community engagement
Design work is just beginning for the Lomond project. A plan for engaging with the community was introduced at the 1.13.2026 Board of Education meeting.
Mercer's attendance zone is uniquely split, with Moreland neighborhood students living remote from the school. It will be critical that community engagement efforts reach Moreland residents in a way that provides equity in the process.
Tree protection
The Mercer site includes many mature trees that provide shade to the school, play areas, and surrounding streets. For these trees to remain for the next generation, they will need to be protected and cared for during the construction process.
Previous work at the Ludlow and Woodbury projects has not always followed best practices to retain and protect trees. This project may require advocacy for better care.