New elementary school, 'Learning Hub' buildings in Boone get names, one after a state park
The replacement for two Boone elementary schools and the new home of an alternative learning center both had their names revealed Wednesday.
Lacey Dreeszen, a districtwide English language learner teacher, said Ledges Elementary School "represents our area, for sure."
Ledges — currently under construction near the intersection of Hancock Drive and South Jackson Street, and named after nearby Ledges State Park — will offer day care, preschool, transitional kindergarten, kindergarten and first-grade classes. It will replace Lincoln and Page elementary schools.
More than 80% of area voters in March 2021 approved a $23 million bond issue to pay for the new school.
More: Boone, Story County school projects approved in Tuesday's special election
Naming committees had gathered community input since June, according to a district news release.
Superintendent Julie Trepa said about 800 people voted in the last round. Dreeszen said there were four options to choose from.
'Learning Hub' consolidates old, leased spaces
The elementary school's name was one of two shared with school staff Wednesday morning.
Crossroads Learning Hub — located at 215 S. 8th St. — will be a multi-purpose home to the district's Futures Alternative High School and Boone's support program for homeschooling.
Trepa explained that Futures serves mainly juniors and seniors with a smaller school setting and "more personalized learning opportunities." The program is currently located in a building similar to the old elementary schools being replaced.
The homeschool program serves students in grades K-12 and is located in a leased space, Trepa said.
"The new building will provide them with a newer space designed for their unique learning needs. In addition to housing these programs, the building will also house a half gym to be utilized by these programs, as well as other programs within our district," Trepa said.
Crossroads is being paid for with a Secure an Advanced Vision for Education bond, according to the district's news release.
Both buildings are expected to open for the 2023-24 school year.
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Phillip Sitter covers education for the Ames Tribune, including Iowa State University and PreK-12 schools in Ames and elsewhere in Story County. Phillip can be reached via email at psitter@gannett.com. He is on Twitter @pslifeisabeauty.
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Names revealed of new Boone elementary school, multi-purpose building
