A Two High School Town
canyon ridge high school, education, southern idaho, twin falls school district,
Elbow room for students in the Twin Falls School District is about to increase twofold.
The brand-new Canyon Ridge High School is currently under construction, and the project hasn’t begun a moment too soon. The new school will significantly ease space constraints at Twin Falls High School, from which many students will transfer to the new high school.
“With the opening of Canyon Ridge High School, the opportunities for our high school students will instantaneously double,” says Beth Pendergrass, community relations specialist for the Twin Falls School District. “These projects are providing for growth and opportunity.”
In addition to enhancing the learning environment and offering broader athletic possibilities for students, the newly reorganized high schools will jointly offer students six specialty academies in fields like agriculture/science, information technology and graphic design arts.
The new high school is part of a $50 million bond levy package passed in spring of 2006 that also includes six elementary school multi-purpose rooms and remodeling projects at Twin Falls High School.
Part of the improvement project is a reorganization of the elementary and junior high schools. Sixth graders who currently attend Twin Falls’ elementary school will be combined with seventh and eighth graders from the current junior highs to create new middle schools. Freshmen in the junior highs will join the high schools, eliminating altogether the need for junior highs.
“This transition of students will provide much needed space in each of our schools,” Pendergrass says.
Canyon Ridge High School is expected to be open for class by the fall of 2009.
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Story by Michaela Jackson
Photo by Todd Bennett
