Western Elementary was designed for 450 students with expansion capabilities to 600. Classrooms face west to take advantage of a tree lined fence row and windows run the entire length of the classrooms to take advantage of daylighting and views. Sun screens were utilized to shade mid-afternoon sun and balconies were placed off of the media center to allow alternative learning experiences.
One of the most technologically advanced schools in Kentucky at the time, the Integrated Information System includes a voice, video, and data network. Its configuration connects 30 classrooms to the media center. Corridors with riser areas are utilized along with teaching space to stimulate imagination and to enhance the learning environment. Classrooms are clustered by grade into pods and have movable walls that allow teachers to join classrooms to allow working groups to share and learn from other resource areas.