Minnesota K–12 District Starts Construction on New Elementary School

Le Sueur-Henderson Public Schools in Le Sueur, Minn., recently announced that construction has begun on a $40.4-million elementary school, according to a news release. The district partnered with construction management firm Kraus-Anderson and ATS&R Planners, Architects, and Engineers, and the new school has an estimated completion date of August 2024. The project is being funded as the result of a $39.9-million referendum that local voters passed in August 2022.

Le Sueur-Henderson Elementary School will measure in at 113,090 square feet and stand two stories. Features will include new classrooms and labs, a music room, a Kids’ Club, a cafeteria, and administrative space, the news release reports. It will also feature a 30,000 square foot field house featuring a three-court gym and locker rooms, as well as a 6,000-square-foot storm shelter. Other amenities include safety and security upgrades, a new parking lot, designated space for bus drop-offs, and two outdoor playground areas, the news release reports.

“The new school will bring 21st-century learning and opportunities to the next generation of Le Sueur- and Henderson-area students,” said Kraus-Anderson senior project manager Shane Butler.

Local news reports that the building is being designed according to modern learning standards, featuring flexible learning spaces and classroom pods. Once complete, the new school will serve as a single, unified space for all of the district’s K–5 students. The district has already sold one of its facilities, Park Elementary, which will be converted into housing units. Once construction is finished, the district’s other existing elementary school—Hilltop Elementary—will become an Alternative Learning Program facility.

About the Author

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

Featured

  • College of the Desert Hits Construction Milestone on New Campus

    College of the Desert recently announced that the construction of its new Palm Springs Campus in Palm Springs, Calif., recently reached a major construction milestone, according to a news release. The college is partnering with general contractor C.W. Driver Companies, which recently “topped out” the facility by placing the final beam in its structure.

  • Spaces4Learning Trends & Predictions for Educational Facilities in 2026: Part I

    We asked, you answered, and the results are in! Last year, we put out a call for submissions to collect our readership’s opinion on trends and predictions for K–12 and higher education facilities in 2026.

  • Can AI Help Build Stronger Communities in Student Housing?

    Student housing success is shifting from operational performance to student experience, with belonging now at the center. A recent 2025 report underscores a growing emphasis on student well-being, community, and engagement, signaling that expectations now extend beyond logistics to ensure students feel supported in their living environments. AI is enabling that shift by reducing administrative workload and giving teams more time to focus on meaningful student engagement.

  • Girl Sitting at Library Desk, Using Laptop

    How Campus Design Shapes the Finals Week Experience

    Academic performance is not just about preparation. It is closely tied to how students manage stress, maintain their energy, and shift between work and recovery modes. Much of that is influenced, directly or indirectly, by design.