Springfield students, community leaders and staff broke ground on a new York Elementary School Wednesday, July 21. The new school will open in 2022.
“For the past 110 years, York has stood right here on this plot of land,” said Dr. Lora Hopper, York principal. “York was petitioned in 1911 by a Civil War veteran living in this community, who was concerned about educating young people and preparing them for the future. That continues to be our mission today.”
York began as a four-room school house in 1911, but after a nearly $21 million investment, the school will be an innovative learning facility and community hub for its neighborhood. Plus, the school will feature a modern, dedicated art room, expanded library and special instructional areas for learning, collaborating and connecting at school. View more project details of the new York Elementary.
Superintendent Grenita Lathan participated in her first groundbreaking event at Springfield Public Schools, sharing her excitement with the York community about a brand new school, made possible by strategic, consistent usage of bond funds by SPS.
“Lower than anticipated costs and effective management of current Prop S projects mean that York can open in 2022, years before it might have,” said Dr. Lathan. “Now, that’s a great reason to celebrate! Cost savings from Prop S have also enabled us to expedite Phase 2 of Hillcrest High School an add storm shelter safe rooms at Field and Twain elementary schools.”
York was constructed in 1911. It was named after William York, a disabled Civil War veteran, who circulated a petition in the fall of 1910 requesting the construction of a school in that area. Below is a timeline of the school’s development.
- 1911: Original building was 8,459 square feet, consisting of four classrooms and one basement room.
- 1923: Annexed into Springfield Public Schools R-12 District
- 1930: Addition of 7,782 sq. ft. including five classrooms and restrooms.
- 1954: Addition of 11,061 sq. ft. consisting of four classrooms and a multipurpose room.
- 1967: Addition of 4,153 sq. ft. for two kindergarten classrooms and one regular classroom.
- 1991: Addition of a learning resource center and two classrooms.