Project Profile: Thrive Elementary School

Thrive Elementary: Every Child Deserves Every Chance

Written by Cole Kapler | Photography by Millissa Martin

Read the full story below.

Thrive Elementary in Edmonton, Alberta, began with a clear mission: to create a space where every child could thrive. Working within an abandoned building, Principal Donna Rankin-Anderson sought to build a calm, welcoming environment. The result is a flexible, supportive classroom space where student agency has replaced rigid structures, cultivating a new sense of community.

Building Curious Minds, Confident Hearts, and Big Futures

Thrive Elementary is a philanthropic initiative founded by Jared Priestner and Go Auto, built on a long-held dream to “eliminate opportunity gaps” for students. The Thrive model seeks to eliminate economic barriers by providing a comprehensive wraparound program. As Principal Rankin-Anderson explains, this includes “free breakfast, lunch, after school snacks, extracurricular programs, and transportation.”

This mission required a physical environment to match. For Principal Rankin-Anderson, the goal was to create a “calm, welcoming environment” for children who may be arriving from highly stimulating spaces at home. The guiding philosophy became a simple, powerful mantra from the staff: “Choose your own adventure, every day.”

Design With Intention

The project’s first element was the building itself. The team took on renovating an existing space, an act of transformation that mirrored the school’s mission. Instead of starting new, they chose to breathe life back into an existing structure.

Inside, the design focused on creating calm, uncluttered sightlines. The wood furniture offers a tactile contrast to a digital world, inviting children to touch, move, and interact with their surroundings. This connection to natural materials supports a sense of well-being.

It also supports a practical, long-term vision. The durable, non-toxic, and chemical-free finish on the furniture means the spaces can be cleaned with simple soap and water. This aligns with Natural Pod’s commitment as a B Corp to prioritize the health of both children and the planet.

A Flexible Environment Enables a Hands-On STEM Curriculum

• Science: Students have a secure environment to explore the “What, Why, and How” of phenomena, expressing their natural curiosities and applying systematic approaches to find reliable answers.
• Technology: Students use innovative methods to tackle problems, developing computational thinking and hands-on physical computing skills to create digital media and find efficient solutions.
• Engineering: Focused on “Designing, Innovating, and Creating,” this core concept allows students to transform their ideas into tangible solutions, teaching them that their dreams can become reality.
• Mathematics: The curriculum emphasizes spatial understanding, measurement, and scale, developing the critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential for real-world success.

Thrive’s approach is brought to life by the physical space. The introduction of multi-functional wooden Share Benches and Evergreen Shelving transformed the classrooms. Unlike a conventional chair or shelving unit with a single purpose, these elements are intentionally open-ended, serving as catalysts for imagination. For Principal Rankin-Anderson, this flexibility also changed the social dynamic between educators and learners.

“As adults we are not looking around the room for a chair that we can fit in. With the benches, it’s easy to get the children to make space for an adult to sit beside them.” —Donna Rankin-Anderson

The flexible layout encourages student movement and collaboration. Another unexpected outcome emerged during cleanup: the simple, durable surface of Natural Pod furniture allows children to contribute and “be part of that community building.” As Donna notes, the ease of cleanup has a “social component.”

Challenges We Worked Through

The primary challenge was the sheer scale of the mission: to create an environment that could truly “eliminate opportunity gaps.” This required adapting an abandoned building to feel welcoming, safe, and empowering for students who face barriers to learning outside the school walls.

The solution was to invest in long-term value. By choosing high-quality, durable furniture designed and made in Canada, the school made a sustainable investment. This approach prioritizes the well-being of students and the planet, ensuring the space will serve the community for years to come.

Why Natural Pod

When selecting a partner, Thrive sought collaborators who understood the mission. Natural Pod’s approach was different. Ultimately, the partnership worked because, as she notes, Natural Pod’s “mission and values are really aligned with what we wanted to.”

“To have people on the team and work together to understand kids, understand age grouping, understand flexibility, and the adaptability of all the pieces was amazing.” —Donna Rankin-Anderson

What’s Next

Thrive Elementary is focused on deepening its impact, including a goal of expanding to junior high. The school continues to refine its environment, finding new ways to empower students. The space is not static; like the children it serves, it will continue to evolve, adapt, and grow. As Principal Rankin-Anderson says, for the learners in her community, “it’s more than just furniture. It’s part of their home here.”

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