New Sustainable Elementary School to Open in West Carrollton
West Carrollton will open its new elementary school next week, marking a significant milestone in a years-long effort to modernize the district’s educational facilities. The 97,281-square-foot West Carrollton Elementary, located at 629 E. Central Ave., will welcome all second through fourth graders beginning August 20.
It replaces Harry Russell Elementary, built in 1965, and Harold Schnell Elementary, built in 1968 and expanded in 1975—both of which would have required extensive and costly upgrades to meet modern safety and learning standards.
According to district business manager Jack Haag, the priority in designing the new school was to create a safe, sustainable environment that could meet the evolving needs of students for decades to come.
The Ohio Facilities Construction Commission determined it would be more cost-effective to build a new school than to renovate the aging facilities, which lacked features such as air conditioning, updated plumbing, and modern security systems.
The new building features brighter classrooms with natural light, enhanced soundproofing, dimmable LED lighting connected to fiber-optic technology, and a quieter HVAC system.
Safety measures include a secure entrance vestibule, expanded camera coverage, and enhanced lighting. Fully ADA accessible, the school also features a gymnasium designed for youth sports that doubles as a certified tornado shelter.
To honor the district’s history, design elements from former campuses were incorporated into the new facility. Original woodwork from CF Holliday Elementary now frames a reading nook in the media center, the Gardecki Gazebo from Schnell Elementary has been relocated to the new playground, and the Buddy Bench from Russell Elementary has found a new home there.
Administrators have also placed a time capsule in the school’s trophy case to preserve the legacy of the district’s earlier elementary schools.
The project reflects both educational and environmental innovation. Flexible classroom layouts support collaborative learning, and a maker space is integrated into the media center. The building was constructed with sustainability in mind, trending toward LEED Gold or Silver certification thanks to daylight-sensitive dimmers, motion-sensor lighting, high-efficiency HVAC systems, and triple-pane windows with built-in blinds.
Designed by Levin Porter Architects and built by Shook Construction, the school was constructed on land that already housed two schools, allowing work to proceed without disrupting other district operations. It is part of a larger two-phase plan approved by voters in 2019, which also produced the Early Childhood Center and Intermediate School in 2022–23.
The final phase will see the opening of a new middle/high school in August 2026. Funding for these projects is shared, with 81 percent provided by the state and 19 percent by the local community.
The opening of West Carrollton Elementary stands as a testament to what can be achieved when a community invests in its children’s future, ensuring safe, modern, and inspiring spaces for learning, and upholding the fundamental right to education for every student.
