A new elementary school is taking shape in southwest Syracuse, with construction progressing steadily toward an August 2026 opening. Future principal Kurt Farnsworth, who has been monitoring the project weekly, says his excitement is building right alongside the walls.
“I’m most excited just to get kids here learning and building the culture. Until the kids are here, it’s not a school — it’s just a building,” Farnsworth said.
In recent weeks, crews have hung drywall throughout much of the building, painted several classrooms and installed roofing in multiple areas. Outside, workers have been busy putting in curbing for the parking lot and bus drop-off area, marking another visible step toward the school’s completion.
The school will feature four distinct “neighborhoods”— Journey to the Prairie, Journey to the Oceans, Journey to the Universe and Journey to the Mountains — each with its own color scheme and design. In addition to its creative layout, the building is being constructed as a net-zero facility, complete with solar panels and geothermal wells for heating and cooling.
The new school will serve students from Bluff Ridge, Syracuse and Buffalo Point elementary schools, with boundary discussions underway to finalize attendance areas. Farnsworth emphasized that the new campus will be a place to honor old traditions while establishing new ones.
