Cornelius Elementary School (2024-25)
Design Gallery
April 3, 2024 - Groundbreaking Ceremony
March 13, 2024 - Safety Fencing Installed
March 13, 2024 - Safety fencing was installed at the back of the campus to prepare for excavation and grading of the area for the new building. The fencing is intended to prevent unauthorized personnel from entering the construction zone - for your safety, please stay out of this area.Feb. 21, 2024 - Final Designs Presented
FGSD's design consultant, Mahlum Architects, recently released the final design renderings in February 2024 for the new building to replace the existing Cornelius Elementary School.
The new Cornelius Elementary will be a two-story building constructed at the rear of the current campus, with a capacity of 500 pre-K to grade 4 students. An entry plaza and expansive lobby area are sited at the main entrance. The school community will enjoy its new gym, cafeteria and commons area, family activity area, and library. Four interior activity areas, within each of the second-floor classroom wings, enable students to partake in group learning and other activities. An outdoor classroom further extends the educational space. Installation of modern classroom technology will provide enriched learning in this digital age.
Students will stay active on pre-K and regular playgrounds as well as a new playfield. Safety and security measures are incorporated throughout, including electronic key card access, video doorbell at the entry, security cameras, alarms, and monitoring. Key safety features are the building’s construction to modern immediate occupancy seismic standards and the separation of the bus loop from the parent dropoff and parking area to enhance safety of pedestrians and vehicles.
The District is planning to keep the current gym and cafeteria spaces and demolish the remainder of the building. Staff is currently in discussions with the City of Cornelius to purchase these spaces for a possible community center.
Pence Construction is the general contractor for this bond project. The project budget is $48 million, funded from the $121.9 million bond approved by voters in November 2022. Construction is officially set to begin with a groundbreaking event on Wednesday, April 3, at 3:45 p.m., to which the community is invited. The new campus will be completed in August 2025, and open to students for their first day of school in September 2025.