Classes in Alpine School District's newest elementary school may have started three days late this fall, but the school's first legacy won't be to keep its students in classes three days past the scheduled end of school.
"We're making up for lost time here and there. We should be caught up by this spring," said Legacy principal John Burton. "Besides, the school originally wasn't supposed to be open until early October."Though the $6 million elementary school, 28 E. 1340 North, American Fork, opened for classes Aug. 28, Alpine School District officials will dedicate it at 6:30 this evening.
At 72,000 square feet and with 570 students, Legacy is the district's largest elementary but one of its least crowded. With the exception of second grade, the school has one empty classroom for each grade.
"This school was built to hold between 750 and 800 students," Burton said. "There's plenty of room to grow."
Legacy Elementary was built with just a portion of the $98 million school construction and renovation bonds Alpine School District parents approved in last spring's bond election.
Also under construction with the bond proceeds are Timpanogos High School in Orem, a new elementary school in Orem and a new high school in Highland - though the latter two have not been named yet. Timpanogos High and the Orem elementary should both be open by the start of the next school year.
All four schools are being built to ease school population bulges, especially in several Orem and American Fork schools. Legacy, in particular, should relieve Highland Elementary and Shelley Elementary in American Fork. In addition to those two schools, some students originally from the attendance areas of Forbes and Barratt elementaries are going to Legacy.
"It was definitely needed," Burton said. "All our schools are being impacted from growth besides just the Micron growth. We just picked up a new family in our school this week."
All work has been completed on the school, except for the grass athletic field, which has led to a partnership between Legacy officials and their counterparts at next door at American Fork Junior High, who have allowed them to use their field.
"At first I was a little apprehensive about being so close to the junior high, but their kids have been great," Burton said. "They're even helping tutor some of our students."
Legacy features a state-of-the-art computer center, including 35 Macintosh computers; a multi-functional lunchroom that also serves as the school's gymnasium and auditorium; and spacious, well-designed classrooms that feature both carpeted and tiled areas, Burton said.
"I've been in a lot of elementary schools, and I think this one comes closest to meeting all the needs of the teachers and the students," he said.
One thing the school is lacking, however, is books for the central library and media center. Pam Williams, the local PTA leader for the school, said she and other parents plan fund-raisers to supply Legacy with library books.