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Fargo, N.D., Starts Construction on Consolidated Elementary School

  • By Matt Jones
  • 06/08/26

Key Takeaways

  • Fargo Public Schools has begun construction on a new $35 million Horace Mann Elementary School that is expected to open in spring 2028, replacing a building originally constructed in 1915.
  • The 78,460-square-foot, three-story facility will consolidate Horace Mann, Madison, and Roosevelt elementary schools into one modern campus featuring flexible learning spaces, natural lighting, and student-focused design elements.
  • Designed to complement the surrounding historic neighborhood, the new school will include an accessible playground, inclusive outdoor recreation areas, and other amenities aimed at supporting all students.

Fargo Public Schools in Fargo, N.D., recently announced the beginning of construction on a new elementary school, according to a news release. The district partnered with ICON Architectural Group and Kraus-Anderson Construction on the new Horace Mann Elementary School, which has an estimated completion date of spring 2028. The Horace Mann building was first built in 1915, and its first modernization was the addition of an elevator in 1995.

The $35-million facility will merge the existing Horace Mann Elementary School, Madison Elementary, and Roosevelt Elementary into a single building. Standing three stories and covering 78,460 square feet, it will offer amenities like naturally lit classrooms, flexible learning environments, and “whimsical colors” to engage students, the news release reports.

The exterior’s design matches the aesthetic of the surrounding historic neighborhood, featuring brick, cast stone, and detailing. The school’s outdoor amenities are set to include “an accessible playground featuring inclusive play structures, a poured-in-place safety surface and a large grassy field for recreation and outdoor activities,” according to the news release.

The news release also reports that Kraus-Anderson has completed more than $2.4 billion in PreK–12 construction projects in the Midwest during the last five years.

About the Author

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

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