FISHERS — The first day back to school next month for hundreds of Hamilton Southeastern students will mark another really big first: their first day in a new school.
The ribbon was cut Tuesday morning on the brand new Southeastern Elementary School in the 12,500 block of Cyntheanne Road. It's the district's 13th K-through-4 building.
What's unique about this school is that kids will be grouped together in what are called "neighborhoods.” There are no long hallways or classroom wings. Each neighborhood has six classrooms, three small group rooms, a stem room, restrooms and storage.
"I feel like our students come to us with a great need to ask questions, to wonder they have a lot of need for inquiry and play so when you create this wide open spaces that are flexible and fluid and you create of lot of space outdoors where learning can be maximized outdoors, you're starting to meet all those needs of the students. You meet every sensory need that they have,” Southeastern Elementary School principal Danielle Chastain said.
The two-story building also provides a lot of access to the outdoors with 3 courtyards and rooftop terraces.
Construction of the $22 million school was funded through a referendum approved 6 years ago.
Southeastern elementary will open its doors August 7.
