Kan. District Debuts New Elementary School

  • By Matt Jones
  • 08/03/21

The Spring Hill School District in Spring Hill, Kan., is set to open its newest elementary school in time for the coming school year. Dayton Creek Elementary School is projected to welcome an inaugural group of 200 students. District officials say that Spring Hill is one of the most rapidly expanding districts in the state, and the goal of the new facility is to keep up with the growing student population.

“All of our elementary buildings have a maximum capacity of around 500 students,” said Christopher Villarreal, director of communications and education engagement for USD 230. “None of them are quite to that number yet. We are trying to stay ahead of the growth curve, so that way, none of our buildings get over capacity and we can maintain a good student-to-teacher ratio in all of our buildings.”

Voters passed a bond issue in 2018 to fund the new school’s construction. The $21.5-million facility will serve students K–5 and feed into two middle schools; a third middle school is projected to open for the 2023–24 school year.

Darcy Sly, a former elementary school teacher of the year in the district, will serve as the new school’s principal. “Last year, our district added STEM to the curriculum,” she said. “Now we have a STEM class that all of our students—kindergarten through fifth grade—go to once a week. It’s a wonderful offering for them,” she said.

The new facility features a computer lab and flexible seating options for active learning opportunities. A dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on July 29, and new students and their families are welcome to attend a “Back to School” night on Monday, Aug. 16.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Colorado State University Global, SCTE Launch Online Certificate Program

    Colorado State University Global (CSU Global), based in Denver, Colo., recently announced a partnership with CableLabs subsidiary the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE) to launch an online certificate training program for broadband professionals, according to a news release.

  • School Construction Projects Boom as Education Systems Address Aging Facilities and Growth

    Construction opportunities are almost always abundant, but currently there are more than usual construction projects being launched for public school campuses. Common objectives include major renovation or expansion of aging facilities, total replacement of inefficient classrooms, upgrades to lighting, technology, and security equipment, and adding new sports and cultural facilities.

  • Designing Learning Spaces that Support Student Mental Health and Wellness

    In today’s education landscape, schools are more than just centers for learning; they are integral to the holistic development and well-being of students. The global pandemic underscored the importance of addressing mental health in schools, as productivity dropped, stress levels rose and students faced challenges managing emotions.

  • Texas K–12 District to Build New Elementary, High Schools

    The High Island Independent School District on the Bolivar Peninsula in Southeast Texas recently announced that construction on a new elementary school and a new high school will begin in January 2026, according to local news. Funding will come from a $27.9-million bond passed in May 2025.

Digital Edition