The Newly Renovated Ross Elementary to Open Sept. 2

has a grand opening date: Sept. 2.

The original Ross facility was built in 1963 and served as Ross Junior High School until the early 1980s when it became an elementary school. The facility had never been renovated and still included remnants of its days as a junior high, including kitchen appliances in the former home economics room and lab tables in the former science room.

The $19.6 million extensive renovation began in August 2010 and will be completed this summer. The new facility will serve more than 500 students with an average of 20 students per classroom.

Pictures of the work under way can be viewed on the North Hills School District website.

The school boasts a water theme, complete with a ship that serves as a storytelling area, boardwalks and a sail that greets visitors at the school’s entrance. Natural light is used extensively throughout the school. The décor uses shades of blue, tan and teal.

“We welcome this opportunity to share the recently renovated Ross Elementary School with our community,” said Superintendent Joseph Goodnack. “The school combines color, character and functionality in order to provide a creative, 21st century learning environment that our students and their teachers will enjoy each day.”

Ross Elementary students and staff were relocated to the vacant Northway and Perrysville facilities during construction. David Lieberman is principal of Ross Elementary School.

The grand opening ceremony will start at 6 p.m. Sept. 2 at the school, 90 Houston Road.