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Students are back in class, with the Elgin Independent School District’s fourth elementary campus welcoming its first group of young learners.
The 2024-25 school year began with excitement across the district, particularly at the new Harvest Ridge Elementary School, where students are starting their first year in the $38.5 million facility.
Leading the school is Principal Megan Wehrle, who brings 12 years of experience in education to her new role.
“Ms. Wehrle will be able to establish a student-centered campus culture of providing engaging and innovative experiences for all students, so that they are provided choice and opportunity for their future,” said Superintendent Jana Rueter in a previous news release.
Joining Wehrle are Assistant Principal Rock McNulty, a former Navy officer with extensive educational leadership experience, and librarian Ashley Rawson, last year’s Elgin Elementary Teacher of the Year, officials said.
According to the district, Harvest Ridge “was built on guiding principles that focus on creating a caring space, fostering a strong sense of community, emphasizing collaboration and connecting students to the outdoors.”
The design encourages interactions from small group work to outdoor learning, providing a safe and inclusive environment where learners can take risks, develop social skills and stimulate creativity, according to a release.
Located a short walk away from Elgin High School, in the Harvest Ridge subdivision, the two-story school covers 84,100 square feet. It was designed by Pfluger Associates and built by Satterfield & Pontikes. It can accommodate up to 900 students and offers programs such as early childhood special education, Solid Roots and oneway dual language.
The 12-acre land site was donated by Brohn Homes, an Austin-based homebuilder and community development company. It marks the first time in the school district’s history that residential developers have donated land for a public school, reports said.
In addition, Elgin ISD officials said trustees approved rezoning attendance boundaries during the expansion to balance enrollment while maintaining “neighborhood unity.” Harvest Ridge will serve students in the northeast part of the district to accommodate future enrollment.
Elsewhere in the district, the April groundbreaking of Trinity Ranch Elementar y School marked the start of Elgin ISD’s fifth primary campus, set to open its doors next year. Located in the Trinity Ranch subdivision, just south of U.S. 290, the new school is designed to keep pace with the city’s expanding population, according to the district.
“This is such an exciting moment for the Elgin community,” Rueter said in the release.
The school will be built on 14 acres and is designed to hold about 800 students.
