How Community Investment Delivered Modern Learning Spaces at Elkhorn Village

On August 3, 2026, project partners, community members, district leaders and XL Construction gathered at Washington Unified School District’s (WUSD) Elkhorn Village in West Sacramento to celebrate the opening of a revitalized campus. Opening well ahead of schedule and just weeks before the first day of school, the project represents the district and community decision to invest directly in its children. Funded through local bond Measure Z, the district sought to turn its aging infrastructure into modern learning spaces, equipping students with top-tier education and resources for a successful future. To bring this vision to life, WUSD turned to local general contractor, XL Construction, to lead and execute the project in partnership with the team at Studio W Architects and mass timber building solutions provider TimberQuest™ (TQ).

Closing the Facilities Gap for Future Generations

Modern education requires modern facilities, and much of WUSD’s aging infrastructure was no longer keeping pace with the way students learn today. Classrooms built decades ago were never designed to support WUSD’s hands-on STEM instruction, music and arts programming or technological advances that define a contemporary K-12 education. The campus is also reopening as a new Spanish dual immersion school. For this West Sacramento community, equitable access to safe, healthy, and engaging learning spaces is fundamental to students’ future success outside the classroom. Supported and funded by Measure Z, a 150-million-dollar local bond measure, the improved learning environments not only bolster student success but help the district attract and retain world-class educators. Students and staff will also experience improved air quality through new HVAC systems, more outdoor learning environments and a unique library with floor to ceiling windows that function like a roll up door, bringing in fresh air and views of the courtyard.

Building upon a Proven Relationship

Successful project execution begins with trusted partnerships, and the success of the Elkhorn Village delivery was built on a relationship more than four years in the making. Washington Unified School District had already worked with XL Construction on its 2023 Westfield Village School Modernization, a project remarkably similar in scope, pairing campus modernization with new buildings, an experience that gave WUSD the confidence to return to a partner it knew could deliver on time and on budget. With more than 30 years of construction experience across Northern California, XL brings the planning discipline and field expertise needed to take on a complex modernization.

Innovative Design for Modern Learning at an Accelerated Pace

When students are waiting, speed matters, and early completion stands out as one of this project’s greatest successes. Delivered more than a month ahead of schedule, the brand-new Elkhorn Village campus gives students and staff the chance to hit the ground running from the first day of school. The early campus delivery was the product of proactive planning, close coordination with the district, disciplined execution by XL Construction project teams as well as thoughtful partner selection.

At the heart of the modernization are seven new one-story classroom buildings. Built using TimberQuest’s patented, prefabricated mass timber solution, these stunning buildings meet the district’s expectations for both permanence and educational excellence. Manufactured at a local facility in Stockton, TimberQuest’s Division of State Architect (DSA) pre-checked design delivers sustainable, high-performing education spaces engineered for a lifespan of more than 75 years. Equally important to function is form; flexible classrooms designed for K-8 instruction, dedicated special education support spaces, administrative offices and a library come together in an environment rich with natural light and biophilic design—qualities shown to improve comfort, wellness, and engagement for students and educators alike.

A Shared Vision for the Future

The impact of this project extends well beyond the campus fence line. WUSD’s Measure Z turned local support into tangible, lasting improvements. What the district gains is a safer, more efficient, more inspiring campus—one that will serve students, families, and staff for decades while delivering long-term sustainability and operational benefits. In investing in Elkhorn Village, WUSD invested in the broader community that surrounds it.

This modernized campus represents much more than a construction project. It reflects our district’s ongoing commitment to equity, excellence, and empowering every student every day,

said Superintendent, Dr. Cheryl P. Hildreth.

With this new campus and the launch of our Spanish dual immersion program, Elkhorn Village is now positioned to offer students a dynamic and engaging learning experience in a space designed to support academic growth, collaboration, and belonging.

Ultimately, this project is about students. Community investment provided the foundation, XL Construction’s expertise and partnership ensured successful execution, and TimberQuest’s innovative approach accelerated delivery while enhancing the learning experience. This fall, Elkhorn Village students will begin the year in modern, safe, and inspiring spaces designed to support their success well into the future. The Elkhorn Village modernization demonstrates what is possible when a community invests in its students and trusted partners work together toward a shared vision—delivering modern learning environments that prepare today’s learners for tomorrow’s opportunities.