Education extends beyond the classroom, and the Raymore-Peculiar School District recognized the need for students to gain practical experience that prepares them for life after graduation. Through the development of the Integrated Learning House (ILH), the district created a fully functional residential-style learning environment designed to help students with special needs develop confidence, independence, and essential life skills.
Located at Raymore-Peculiar High School, the Integrated Learning House provides students with a real-world setting to practice everyday activities such as cooking, cleaning, budgeting, organization, and home maintenance. Rather than learning these skills only through instruction, students can apply them in an environment that mirrors independent living.
The project represents a community-wide effort involving educators, students, construction professionals, and local businesses. Control Service Company (CSC) was proud to support the project by providing donated Building Automation Systems (BAS), security access controls, and video surveillance technology to improve the functionality, safety, and efficiency of the learning environment.
The goal of the Integrated Learning House was to create a space where students could learn through hands-on experiences while bringing together multiple educational programs across the district.
Students from the Ray-Pec LEAD Center’s carpentry, electrical, HVAC, design, art, botany, and field biology programs contributed to the project, gaining valuable experience working alongside industry professionals. The project also created opportunities for students with different abilities and educational backgrounds to collaborate, mentor one another, and build connections.
Because the Integrated Learning House functions as both a home and a classroom, the facility required systems that supported a safe, efficient, and modern learning environment. CSC worked alongside district leaders to provide technology solutions that would allow students to experience the same types of building systems found in real-world residential and commercial environments.
CSC’s involvement with the Integrated Learning House began long before installation. Through its longstanding relationship with Raymore-Peculiar School District and the LEAD Center, CSC has partnered with district leaders for years to support skilled trades education and workforce development.
During the initial planning phases of the LEAD Center, CSC representatives helped review curriculum goals and provided industry insight into how students could gain meaningful exposure to the trades. That partnership continued throughout the development of the Integrated Learning House.
For the ILH project, CSC provided and installed:
- Automated Logic Building Automation System: Donated BAS components and programming to help students understand modern building technology and improve facility efficiency.
- Gallagher Access Control: Donated access control equipment to enhance building security.
- Hanwha Video Surveillance: Donated camera equipment to support safety and monitoring throughout the facility.
CSC also provided final system checkout and additional installation support, contributing $5,084 in donated labor. In total, CSC and its partners contributed more than $22,000 in donated products and services to bring the project to life.
Control Service Company (CSC) has become Kansas State University’s trusted partner for building automation and fire alarm systems across its expansive Manhattan campus. With over seven active projects at any given time—including retrofits, new construction, and specialized research facilities—CSC ensures K-State’s growing campus is equipped with scalable, user-friendly, and highly reliable control systems.
CSC’s partnership with Raymore-Peculiar School District extends beyond this individual project. For more than 15 years, CSC has supported the district through building automation services, community sponsorships, teacher appreciation initiatives, student events, and workforce development efforts.
Through its relationship with the LEAD Center, CSC regularly participates in activities designed to expose students to career opportunities in the trades. This includes mock interviews, career events, project demonstrations, and opportunities for students to gain insight into the work performed by BAS professionals.
“Control Services Company has been a trusted partner of the Raymore-Peculiar School District for more than 20 years, and their continued support of our Integrated Learning House (ILH) project is another example of their long-standing commitment to our students and community. Over the past two decades, CSC has consistently supported our facilities through reliable service, technical expertise, and a shared focus on creating safe, efficient learning environments.
CSC generously provided and installed access control on three exterior doors, a complete building automation system to manage lighting and HVAC, and a full video surveillance camera system. These contributions significantly improved the safety, security, and operational efficiency of the home while ensuring the facility functions to the same standards as our district buildings.
The ILH is more than a structure—it is a hands-on learning environment where students gain real-world experience in construction trades, facilities operations, and building technologies. Our students were allowed to go into the actual construction site and apply their learning in real time under the direction of skilled adults. This is a unique learning environment that few students get to experience and is a resume-worthy experience for them. We are thankful that CSC was able to see our vision for real world learning for our students and willing to partner with us in this endeavor. CSC’s systems allow our students to learn on modern, industry-standard platforms, exposing them to the same controls, automation, and security technologies they will encounter in the workforce. Their support directly enhances career readiness and technical skill development. Our students are more prepared to enter the workforce because of their partnership with us on the Integrated Learning House.
Just as important, CSC’s team was collaborative, responsive, and mission-driven throughout the process. They understood the educational purpose of the project and treated it as an investment in students, not simply an installation.
Their partnership has had a lasting impact on both the success of the ILH and the opportunities available to our students. We are grateful for their commitment to education and to the Ray-Pec community.”
- — Scott Dobson: Director of Facilities & Grounds at Raymore-Peculiar School District
The Integrated Learning House represents what is possible when education, industry, and community partners work together toward a shared goal. The project provides students with special needs a supportive environment to develop independence while giving students across multiple programs the opportunity to apply their skills in a real-world setting.
For CSC, supporting the ILH reflects a commitment that extends beyond providing building technology solutions. By investing time, resources, and expertise, CSC helps prepare the next generation of skilled trades professionals while strengthening the communities it serves.
The Integrated Learning House demonstrates that the most meaningful projects are not always measured by size or complexity—they are measured by the opportunities they create for people.
