DCIU Infrastructure Projects

The Marple Facilities Project represents a significant investment in DCIU’s mission to expand access, strengthen educational programming, and create modern learning environments that meet the evolving needs of students, families, staff, and school district partners.

The project supports growth across Early Childhood Education, School Age programs, and the Practical Nursing Program. Improvements include expanded classroom capacity, new and renovated learning spaces, enhanced simulation and transition labs, family-friendly areas, staff collaboration spaces, and an expanded playground. These upgrades allow DCIU to respond to increasing enrollment, growing demand for specialized services, and the changing needs of learners across the lifespan.

Additional improvements to parking, accessibility, HVAC systems, stormwater management, storage, signage, security, and shared spaces have also enhanced the overall functionality of the Marple Education Center. Together, these investments create a more welcoming, flexible, and future-ready campus designed to support high-quality education and services for years to come.

Marple Education Center

What's New

• A New Practical Nursing Program (PNP) Building: Our new PNP building opened in January 2026. The custom-built space was designed to accommodate rising enrollment and the growing demand for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) by expanding classroom capacity, enhancing hands-on training opportunities, and providing advanced simulation labs that prepare students for today’s evolving healthcare workforce. The new facility features enhanced simulation labs, including advanced labor and delivery mannequins that allow students to practice realistic clinical scenarios. These upgrades help students build essential skills, clinical competence, and confidence before entering the workforce.
• School-Age Playground: The new school-age playground at Marple Education Center provides students with an inviting space to play, explore, and connect. The expanded area enhances opportunities for outdoor activity, supporting students’ physical well-being and social development.
• School-Age Classrooms: All School-Age classrooms, hallways, and therapy spaces have new flooring and paint, creating refreshed, updated learning environments for students and staff. In addition, the relocation of four Early Intervention classrooms to the newly renovated second-floor space created additional capacity within the School-Age portion of the building. The School-Age program has been able to grow by four classrooms and accept additional students from Delaware County school districts. This increased capacity allows DCIU to continue responding to district needs while providing specialized programming for students who require more intensive supports.
• Transition Support Lab: The Transition Support Lab provides students with hands-on opportunities to develop meaningful transition, vocational, and entrepreneurship skills. Through materials and equipment obtained through DCIU’s Assistive Technology Grant, students gain experience using tools such as a laser cutter, Cricut, and T-shirt press to design, create, and produce marketable products. The lab allows students to practice the full entrepreneurial process—from developing an idea and learning to safely operate equipment to producing products, managing materials, fulfilling orders, and exploring sales and customer service. These authentic learning experiences build independence, creativity, problem-solving, communication, and workplace readiness while exposing students to potential pathways for employment and self-employment after graduation.
• Fencing: New fencing was installed along both the west and east sides of the property, enhancing security and aesthetics.
• Outdoor Parking Signage: Updated outdoor signage was installed to improve parking navigation, making it easier for staff and guests to locate designated areas and move more efficiently around the site.
• Outdoor Seating: A new outdoor seating area for staff and guests offers a welcoming environment for breaks, collaboration, and small gatherings in an open-air setting.
• HVAC Systems: Energy-efficient HVAC systems are being installed to improve energy efficiency and indoor air quality, creating a more comfortable environment for students and staff.
• Stormwater Management: An improved stormwater management system was implemented in March 2026 to better control runoff and help prevent flooding, erosion, and water pollution.

• Storage: In response to the center’s expanding programs and services, new storage space was developed to accommodate increased demand. This addition enhances organization, improves efficiency, and ensures that materials and equipment are readily accessible to support daily operations.

• Parking: Parking has been restructured to add more spaces and improve traffic flow, making drop-offs and pick-ups easier for parents and staff.

• Stage: Our stage was reconfigured to improve accessibility, promoting inclusiveness for students and staff.

• Lobby and Front Entrance: Our new lobby and front entrance provide a welcoming space for visitors and a refreshed look for the building.

• Parent Waiting Room: Our new Parent Waiting Room offers a comfortable, accessible space for parents and families of Early Intervention students visiting the center for diagnostic evaluations and programming.

• New Teacher Workspace: The new teacher workspace provides staff with a dedicated area to plan, collaborate, and create instructional materials to support student learning. The space gives teachers access to the tools and resources they need outside the classroom while also encouraging collaboration among colleagues. An adjoining office has been dedicated to the Instructional Lead Teacher, creating a centralized location where teachers can receive coaching, instructional support, resources, and guidance as they strengthen their practice.

• Additional Early Intervention Classrooms: The project has allowed DCIU to repurpose space previously occupied by the Practical Nursing Program into additional Early Intervention classrooms specifically designed for young learners. Renovations were designed to support children, families, and staff. These improvements are particularly important as DCIU continues to develop a more comprehensive Birth–5 system. Early Childhood Education now encompasses Early Intervention, Early Head Start, Head Start, Pre-K Counts, family supports, and childcare programming, creating a broader continuum of services for young children and families throughout Delaware County.
• Conference Rooms & Office Space: Our new conference rooms and office spaces offer staff access to updated meeting areas and workspaces designed to enhance collaboration and efficiency.

We are excited to share the progress happening at the DCTS Aston campus as we continue to expand programs and improve learning environments for our students!

These improvements reflect our ongoing commitment to providing high-quality technical education that prepares students for in-demand careers.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to invest in our schools, programs, and - most importantly - our students!
 

DCIU was thrilled to unveil the transformation of our new main lobby in Morton in Fall 2024. The lobby underwent a makeover including new flooring, modern paint colors and lighting, new ceilings, a sleek reception area, and digital signage to help us communicate DCIU news, updates, and programs. 

The improvements extend beyond the inside—our exterior also received a facelift. The side entrances near the executive and business offices had outdated retaining walls that were removed and replaced with attractive new landscaping. The sidewalk leading to the main entrance has been regraded and repoured and we also removed the stairs and ramp, making the entrance flat and more accessible. 

DCIU’s new 6,000-square-foot annex was completed in July 2025. This space now serves as the new home for our Information Technology Repair Shop, workspace for our Facilities and Operations team, and much-needed storage.  

DCIU is thrilled to welcome everyone to our refreshed and modernized Morton campus!