K-12 School Construction & Master Planning Services
Educational Know-How
Expert Support from Planning to Construction
Carl A. Nelson & Company is a builder that understands classrooms, safety and student flow. For more than 30 years, Iowa school districts just like yours have trusted us to help them plan and build smarter.
We support your goals with expert services including:
- Project Planning
- Pre-Bond Services
- Design and Pre-Construction
- New School Buildings
- Additions and Renovations
You get practical, data-backed guidance—and designs, budgets, and schedules built around your needs and resources.
Delivering Value
Your Project. Done Right. For Years to Come.
Your finished facility should meet your goals, stay within budget, and last for years to come. That’s our mission on every project.
We help you get there by:
- Focusing on the details
- Offering best-value solutions
- Creating accurate, timely budgets
- Managing construction so you don’t have to
- Keeping consistent leadership on your team
You get a school that’s built to perform—and built to last.
Building Trust
Commitment You Can Count On
Clients like you trust Carl A. Nelson & Company because we take the time to understand your goals and support your success at every step.
You can count on us for:
- A true investment in your success
- Consistent project leadership
- Respect for your goals and input
- Time spent listening to your needs
- Direct access to company leadership
- A proactive focus on safety
These values shape how we collaborate with your team from day one to ribbon-cutting—and beyond.
Educational Facilities That Support Learning, Safety, and Community Pride
Project Portfolio
- New 5-6 Intermediate School Building
College Community School District, Cedar Rapids, Iowa - New 9-12 High School
Sioux Center Community School District, Sioux Center, Iowa - High School Addition & Renovation
Washington Community School District, Washington, Iowa - Elementary, Junior-Senior High Renovations & Addition
Grundy Center, Iowa - High School Addition & Renovations + Elementary HVAC
Keokuk Community School District, Keokuk, Iowa - High School Renovations
Shenandoah Community School District, Shenandoah, Iowa - New Secondary Athletics & Classroom Addition
Van Buren County Community School District, Keosauqua, Iowa - K-12 Additions & Remodeling
Danville Community School District, Danville, Iowa - Early Childhood Center
Washington Community School District, Washington, Iowa - High School Addition/Renovation
Fairfield Community School District, Fairfield, Iowa
Ready to transform your school facilities?
Whether you need help with needs assessment and master planning, or are ready to begin planning for construction, contact Vice President Dan Culp. Dan oversees our projects for education clients.
Call him now at 319-754-8415 or fill out the contact form to get started!
Download Our K-12 Brochure
This brochure provides an overview of our K-12 planning and construction capabilities, recent project experience, and how we help schools get the most value from their investment.
We add value for K-12 clients
The Building Blocks of Your Project's Success
Our K-12 services support your project from start to finish:
- Needs Assessment & Master Planning
- Pre-Bond Planning
- Design and Pre-Construction
- Construction Services
- Post-Construction Services
We tailor our services to your district’s needs—always with your success in mind.
In-House Expertise for Better Results
Our team includes licensed architects, construction engineers, and degreed construction managers. That means you benefit from technical insight and practical experience throughout planning and construction.
Your Partner from Concept to Completion—and Beyond
We help you develop long-term, buildable plans that balance educational needs, budget, and schedule. And we’ll still be here when the project’s done—ready to answer questions or help with what’s next.
Total renovation of high school earns praise from client
In 2021, Carl A. Nelson & Company was engaged by the Burlington Community School District to provide construction management services for master planning, pre-construction and construction of a project that resulted in complete renovation of the interior of Burlington High School, which opened in 1969 and had not been updated since with the exception of several small additions.
Through the master planning process, a list of wants and needs totaling more than $100 million was identified — for which a budget of approximately $43 million was available. The School Board opted to focus on the needs, and rather than expanding the footprint significantly (aside from a new fitness center that was needed to replace interior space taken up by mechanical systems) invested in upgraded HVAC and building mechanical systems, and a to-the-studs renovation of the academic wing of the building.
Work started in 2022 with HVAC and mechanical upgrades, followed by the fitness center addition. The rest of the building was renovated in seven phases (plus three summers), with work completed during second shift to limit disruptions to the school day. Savings identified during construction, as well as income from invested bond funds, enabled the district to expand project scope to include a new gym floor, partial gymnasium roof replacement and replacement of the tennis courts. School opened on-time in August 2025.
“That trust factor ... and that relationship is key. ... There are just so many pieces that come with putting together a $43 million high school. ... I've been just overwhelmed by the leadership of Carl A. Nelson.”
CANCO team guides addition project to successful completion
IKM-Manning Community School District in west-central Iowa engaged Carl A. Nelson & Company to assist with master planning ahead of a 2023 bond referendum. When that vote fell short, the district proceeded with a project using revenue from state sales tax and existing physical plant levy funds to address needs at the middle school/high school in Manning, Iowa.
The construction management project included the addition of a secondary gymnasium, a new commons area and a pair of STEM/makerspace classrooms.
Ground was broken in the spring of 2024, and completed in time for school to start in August 2025.
“They understand the logistics. They understand all the different stakeholders and what everybody wants out of it, and help you to be ... realistic on what can happen with a certain amount of money.”
Superintendent gives top marks to CANCO team
As the Sioux Center Community School District prepared to open its brand new, $42 million, 180,000 square-foot high school building, Superintendent Gary McEldowney had only good things to say about Carl A. Nelson & Company and the value the firm brought to the project in its role as construction manager.
The superintendent also offered a complimentary critique of the Carl A. Nelson & Company construction management project team. You can watch that video here.
BONUS: The project architect had some pretty nice things to say about our leadership, too. That video testimonial is here.
“... if it went like this again, I’d be willing to start tomorrow to do this again, because I felt supported along the way. ... Trust was established very quickly, and was carried out through the end of the project.”
CANCO comes through on high school renovation project
In this brief testimonial video, Shenandoah Community School District Superintendent Dr. Kerri Nelson discusses the benefits of engaging Carl A. Nelson & Company as construction manager on a project that resulted in a multi-million dollar renovation of Shenandoah High School. Visit our YouTube channel for the full-length video, which also addresses project history and our project team.
Read more about the project, and see a collection of before-and-after photos, in CANCO News.
“I would recommend (Carl A. Nelson & Company) to anyone. I would stand behind their work, because I have seen the quality. I know they follow through with their commitments. And they’ve done well in Shenandoah, and they’ve served our community in an outstanding way.”
Comprehensive Solutions for K-12 School Construction
Planning with Purpose, Built for Education
We help school districts define priorities, build community support, and create actionable plans. Our team guides you from initial needs assessment through pre-bond strategy and facility planning—always with constructability, cost, and outcomes in mind.
Built to Meet the Needs of Students and Staff
Whether building new or renovating, we deliver high-quality facilities that serve educational goals and stand the test of time. We work to balance innovation with practicality—so your schools function well on day one and for years to come.
Long-Term Success Through Partnership
We work closely with superintendents, boards, and architects to ensure your facility aligns with your district’s goals—and we stay connected long after the ribbon is cut.
Smart Delivery, Tailored to Your District
We offer flexible delivery methods—including design-build, CM, and GC—to match your needs. Our team keeps projects on schedule, on budget, and focused on value.
Clear Communication and Collaborative Focus
Throughout planning and construction, you can count on us for proactive updates, responsive leadership, and a team committed to helping your schools succeed.
Planning a new school or campus renovation?
Connect with Dan Culp by calling 319-754-8415 or using our contact form.