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LANSING — Students on Lansing's north side have a new school to head to this fall after the completion of the new Willow School at 1025 Ontario St.
The Lansing School District hosted an open house on Tuesday, July 21 to show off the new building and welcome the community for a walk through.
In 2022, voters approved a $129.7 million bond proposal allowing the district to rebuild four schools and bring additional upgrades throughout the district.
The Willow School ribbon cutting is just the latest bond project milestones for the district, wrapping up the building just a few short months after breaking ground on the new Lewton School, a Spanish immersion school that will house preschool through eighth grade students.
During the event, future students joined community and school leaders to cut the ribbon in front of the school and race through the doors to get a first look at the building they'll be learning in this school year.
The school can fit up to 500 students and construction cost around $40 million.
Sen. Sarah Anthony and Lansing Mayor Andy Schor were among those who visited the school and spoke to the community at the ribbon cutting.
"What we are experiencing today is the reality that our kids are worth the best," Anthony said. "If you are here, you are affirming to our young people, many who are here today, that your community is looking up to you. That we need you to be your best and brightest and that the magic that you bring into this space, we should make sure that facilities match all of that magic."
Interim Superintendent Jessica Benavides said getting the school ready to open took a lot of planning and work from teachers and administrators alike, from moving and setting up classrooms to making sure families are ready for the fall transition, but the time has flown by.
"A lot's gone into it," she told the State Journal. "When you come to this moment, it's like the two years just flies by."
Contact Karly Graham at [email protected]. Follow her on X at @KarlyGrahamJrn.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: New Willow School to open this fall, latest in Lansing bond milestones
