WSFA 12 News Montgomery, AL |Parents and students marvel at new Hillcrest Elementary School

Parents and students marvel at new Hillcrest Elementary School

Posted by: Melissa McKinney - bio | email

ENTERPRISE, AL (WSFA) - Soon the halls of Hillcrest Elementary School will hear and feel the pitter patter of young feet as 560 students fill the classrooms come August 12th.

"It's going to be exciting coming back to the new location," says sixth grade student, Salina Malone.

It's a building leaders say is more like a fortress with 24 tornado shelter rooms ready to withstand a storm.  After the tornado that ripped through Enterprise damaging Hillcrest and it's neighbor school, Enterprise High School, leaders knew they only had one chance to get the new school built right.

And that has parents singing praises.

"It gives you a great peace of mind," says Sue Matherly.

"I think it's wonderful that they have been able to upgrade and meet standards now that maybe this can last for another maybe 30, 40, 50 years," says Deana Trimm.

While the open house is a chance for parents and children to scope out the new school, it also brought folks from around town just curious to check it out for themselves.

"I wanted to see who was here and what was going on," says Enterprise resident, Helen Harrison.

"We don't have any children or grandchildren in the system. But we have community in the system, and we're really really proud," says resident Carolyn Vickers.

It's a city rallying around a new beginning and a place students can be excited about.

"It's going to be an excellent place to start my sixth grade year," says Malone.

"The faculty and staff--they're my family and it's my home away from home," says sixth grade student, Hannah Matherly.

Hillcrest Elementary School--a new state of the art home as the first day of school draws near.

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