Groundbreaking commences for Clear Creek Amana Community School District's largest elementary school

The rapid growth of the Clear Creek Amana Community School District has inspired a $42 million expansion.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held late Wednesday afternoon at the site of the new 600-student, two-story elementary school in Coralville, east of Highway 380 and Highway 6.

Corey Seymour, CCA Community School District superintendent, told the Press-Citizen how “amazing” it is to picture how the dirt will be replaced with a school that can house several hundred students, better serving a bustling community.

“That’s the exciting thing, to see the beginning stages, taking pictures now and then when the final product comes out and say, ‘Look what we've accomplished, look where we’re at right now,’” he said.

Where is the new school going to be located?

The new school’s official address is 2950 Crossing Ridge Drive. Construction for the new school can be viewed off Jones Boulevard in Coralville near newer condos on Blue Sage Drive.

What is the new school going to be named?

The school does not have a name yet. The district will seek suggestions from community members and present those findings to the school board for a vote, Seymour said.

That process will start next year.

When will construction be complete?

The completion date is set for August 2024. Knutson Construction Company is the general contractor for the project. The construction company was responsible for notable local projects including the University of Iowa Psychological and Brain Science Building and the Cedar Rapids Public Library, according to the company’s website.

When was the new elementary school approved?

The school is funded by a $65 million general obligation bond passed by voters last year. Bond funds will also pay for:

• Repairs and improvements to existing playground spaces across the district’s elementary schools
• A fine arts addition at CCA Middle School and High School
• Career and technical vocational space at CCA High School

Why is Clear Creek Amana Community School District building a new elementary school?

A growing population necessitated a new elementary school.

The district anticipates increasing to more than 4,000 students in five years, including 700 elementary-aged students in that period, according to an enrollment analysis released in January 2022.

The new building will be the sixth elementary school in the district and is projected to cost $42.5 million.

The new, two-story elementary school sits on 30 acres. It is the largest elementary school in the CCA district with a student capacity of 600.

The school will be complete with a gymnasium, offices and common spaces for faculty, according to CCA’s website.

Paris Barraza covers entertainment, lifestyle and arts at the Iowa City Press-Citizen. Reach her at PBarraza@press-citizen.com or 319-519-9731. Follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza