New Willow Creek Elementary ready to welcome students
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IDAHO FALLS — More than 700 elementary students will have something extra to look forward to when they head back to class next week — stepping inside a brand-new school.
Willow Creek Elementary, Bonneville Joint School District 93’s newest elementary school, is ready to welcome its first students at 3880 East 49th North in Idaho Falls. Principal Steve Cziep will lead the school’s inaugural group of students.
Students, teachers, district officials and community members celebrated the school’s completion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday.
District 93 Superintendent Scott Woolstenhulme said voters approved a bond in 2023 that made Willow Creek possible as the district works to keep pace with continued population growth and rising enrollment.
RELATED: New elementary school coming to District 93 after successful bond vote
“The school is in a highly residential area where a lot of new homes are being built,” Woolstenhulme said. “We really appreciate the support of the community on this school as we recognize the higher property taxes it will cause since it was built with bond funds.”
While crews officially broke ground in September 2024, plans for Willow Creek had been in the works much longer. Initial design work dates back to 2019, as district officials evaluated enrollment trends and anticipated the need for additional classroom space.
The finished school also represents something District 93 hasn’t done in decades — introduce an entirely new elementary school design.
Designed by NBW Architects, Willow Creek differs from nine of the district’s newer elementary schools, which were built using a design developed in the 1980s.
“This school is the first new design in 40 years, larger and more energy efficient,” Woolstenhulme said.
The new layout includes features unique to Willow Creek, including additional flexible rooms that can be used for music, special education and other programs.
Woolstenhulme also praised Headwaters Construction for completing the project on time and under budget.
Logan Bingham, senior director of Headwaters Construction, said the new building was designed with students and teachers in mind.
“It’s a beautiful elementary,” Bingham said. “They’ve incorporated many features that will really help with the learning process. And that’s been impressive to watch.”
The opening comes as new housing developments and neighborhoods continue to spread throughout the Idaho Falls and Ammon area, increasing the need for classroom space and putting pressure on some existing schools.
Willow Creek isn’t the only change underway as District 93 adjusts to that growth.
Woolstenhulme said the district is also repurposing the former Ammon Elementary School building for Ammon Honors Academy, a magnet school that will eventually serve students in grades seven through 12.
For additional District 93 updates and resource information, go to Bonneville School District 93.