INSTALLATION DETAILS
Location
Roosevelt, NY.
Partnerships
Henricksen
Product Solutions
SmartLink Chairs, SmartLink Student Desks, Build Student Tables, Tangram Poufs, Flock Mini Cylinder, Convergence Task Chairs, Cliq Task Chairs, Ignition 2.0 Task Chairs, Ignition Guest Chairs, Preside Conference Tables, Confetti Lounge Chairs, Confetti Floor Cushions and Cart, Storyline Bookcases, 10500 Series Teacher Stations, 10500 Series Wall-Mount Storage Cabinets, Brigade 800 Series Lateral Files, Acrylic Modesty Panels, and Interlink IQ Power Solutions.
How A Purpose-Built Elementary Campus is Helping Students, Staff, and A Community Thrive
Roosevelt Children’s Academy (RCA) is a public charter school in Roosevelt, New York, serving students from kindergarten through eighth grade. As enrollment grew, the school’s original building could no longer support its expanding programs or vision for the future. Classrooms spilled into trailers, small-group instruction took place wherever a corner could be found — even under staircases — and the art teacher made do with a converted closet. When RCA began planning to extend its program through high school, leaders saw an opportunity to give their youngest learners a stronger start and create a more supportive home for teachers and staff.
They responded by teaming up with HON and furniture dealer Henricksen to create a new 60,000-square-foot elementary school designed to support future growth and give students a bright, inspiring place to learn. Together, they furnished every space with hardworking, coordinated solutions that help students and educators focus on what matters most.
Listening First
From the outset, the directive was clear: create an environment that feels uplifting and intuitive, not just “filled with furniture.” HON Business Development Manager Yasmine Rameau assembled a cross-functional team and brought in Henricksen’s designers to walk the site, review floor plans, and align on the school’s vision. “We wanted the best people, the right products, and service that matched the quality,” says Rameau.
Design That Supports Learning and Belonging
Color plays a clever role in helping students find their way and feel at home. Each floor features its own hue, echoed in lockers, flooring accents, and furnishings, so even the youngest learners can confidently move through the building. For many students who are still mastering English, this visual system makes navigation simple and intuitive. The building itself becomes a supportive teacher. The palette helps shape the experience, creating calm where focus is needed and energy where collaboration thrives.
Across classrooms, the library, and small-group areas, furniture choices prioritize comfort, durability, and scale. Tables and seating move easily and stand up to daily use. Storage and bookcases organize supplies and books without crowding the room, keeping sightlines open for engagement and safety.
Administrative and shared spaces received the same attention. New conference rooms, coaching spaces, and dedicated offices provide staff with spaces to plan, collaborate, and recharge. A welcoming teacher area adds vibrancy to daily routines, from prep periods to lunch.
Built For Real Life
RCA serves a diverse, multilingual community—over half Latino, with a growing Haitian population—and 87% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. As a charter school that “does more with less,” every decision had to stretch. HON and Henricksen focused on solutions that deliver lasting function with a fresh look, optimizing budgets without asking the school to compromise on quality or experience.
The Impact You Can Feel
The difference is immediate. “Everybody loves coming to work, especially the coaches,” says CFO/COO Philip Leconte. “The art teacher finally has a real office instead of a closet. It’s apples and oranges.” Students are excited to come to school, and staff are proud of their spaces. Families notice, too. RCA hosted neighborhood walk-throughs so prospective parents could “feel the future” in the halls, and enrollment followed.
The ripple effects extend beyond academics. With more space and the right furnishings, RCA expanded after-school programs and launched new athletics, from flag football and volleyball to fencing, connecting wellness, teamwork, and school pride. The project replaced a rundown factory with a bright, three-story school that has truly beautified the neighborhood.
What Made It Work
· A clear brief and open lines: Regular check-ins between RCA, HON, and Henricksen kept decisions moving and solved hiccups in hours, not days.
· Design rooted in empathy: Floor-by-floor color coding supports wayfinding and mood; mobile, age-appropriate pieces are scaled to the tables and designed for flexible reconfiguration.
· Hardworking choices: Built to withstand daily use, durable furnishings make it easier for teachers to focus on learning—not upkeep.
A Playbook for Other Schools
“If you build it, they will come,” Leconte says, “especially when the space shows students they belong, teachers that they’re supported, and families that they’re welcome. Start by listening. Prioritize the essentials that make daily work easier. Use design—light, color, comfort, and intuitive furniture—to remove barriers to learning. Then watch the wins add up.”
RCA’s new elementary campus proves what’s possible when partners share a purpose: create places where learners and educators can do their best work, every day. That’s how you make your space work.
