Jackson-Madison County School System unveils Malesus STEM Innovation Center

Historic campus reimagined as a cutting-edge STEM hub designed by Wold Architects & Engineers

Jackson, Tenn.—Wold Architects and Engineers (Wold), a national architecture and engineering firm with a strong legacy in educational design, recently announced the completion of Jackson-Madison County School System’s (JMCSS) Malesus STEM Innovation Center, designed to immerse middle school students in hands-on, career-focused learning in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. 

With a strong existing facility but a growing need for expanded STEM offerings, JMCSS partnered with Wold to reimagine the former Malesus Elementary School into a dynamic, technology-rich innovation hub for middle schoolers. Completed through extensive phasing in just one year, the STEM program equips students for the modern industrial workforce with courses in mechatronics, robotics, cybersecurity, gaming and bio-STEM.

The revitalized 38,500-square-foot facility transformed traditional classrooms into expansive lab environments, converting the cafeteria into an exhibit hall to showcase student work and introducing collaborative zones and additional office space for events such as robotics competitions. Students can also engage with technology-driven community partnership programs like the Toyota EM2 Institute, Cyber Command Institute and MakerSpace, where they can explore a dedicated environment that encourages creativity and entrepreneurial thinking. 

Inspired by real-world work environments, Wold worked with the district to create “Development Labs,” which operate as open, industrial-style spaces featuring exposed ceilings, concrete floors, flexible furnishings, garage doors connecting adjacent learning zones and hallway-facing windows that provide visibility into classrooms. This intentionally raw aesthetic fosters practical, hands-on learning by mirroring the environments students may encounter in future careers while reinforcing the district’s commitment to “visible learning.”

“Wold’s design team has consistently demonstrated a high level of professionalism, creativity and responsiveness,” said Dr. Marlon King, superintendent at JMCSS. “Their ability to balance aesthetic appeal with functionality has transformed Malesus into a hub for STEM education. This longstanding partnership, dating back over half a century, set a benchmark for how true collaboration can lead to exceptional outcomes that directly impact our students and community.”

Originally designed in the 1960s by Wold’s Tennessee predecessor, Hart Freeland Roberts (HFR), the elementary school’s transformation honors its history while embracing a bold new purpose. The Malesus STEM Innovation Center is now welcoming middle school students, marking a significant milestone for its new era and providing a second innovative enrollment option for students in the district. The Center’s flexible design ensures the school can adapt learning spaces over time and remain a future-ready educational hub for many years to come. While this phase is complete, a master plan for an addition has already been discussed and considered.

“Our partnership with JMCSS reflects a shared commitment to designing spaces that honor community input while preparing students for the future,” said Sammy West, education practice leader at Wold. “We are proud to carry on the legacy of the historic Malesus campus by modernizing it to better serve today’s students. The Center stands as a powerful example of how thoughtful design, vision and community engagement can come together to create lasting impact and visionary learning opportunities.”

Through rapid, strategic planning and thoughtful community engagement, Wold and JMCSS, in partnership with MSB Construction and DW Collier Engineering, Inc., achieved the district’s ambitious one-year goal to open the facility in time for the 2024–25 school year. The Malesus STEM Innovation Center will serve as a catalyst for innovation in Tennessee and a source of pride for the Jackson community.

The new Malesus STEM Innovation Center is located at 610 Bolivar Hwy, Jackson, TN 38301. Learn more about the CTE-STEM center here.

About Wold Architects & Engineers 

Wold Architects and Engineers is a full-service planning, architecture and engineering firm with a local office in Colorado and additional offices in Minnesota, Illinois and Tennessee. As a dynamic, growth-oriented company, Wold is committed to delivering exceptional results for the communities it serves. Wold ranks 25th nationally in Building Design + Construction’s 2025 Giants 400 Report for Top 100 Architecture Engineering Firms and eighth nationally for Top K-12 School Architecture Firms. To learn more, please visit woldae.com.



source https://zweiglist.com/jackson-madison-county-school-system-unveils-malesus-stem-innovation-center/

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