Students and families say farewell to century old elementary school

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Families, students, and staff gathered around the outskirts of Horace Mann Elementary. Some were filled with tears, and others stared in awe.

“Depressing and overwhelmed just because I can’t believe I’m seeing my school that I went to for kindergarten, first, and second go down,” said Sam.

“It is bittersweet. I’ve said all along, now it’s really, really here. So it does make things real: all the planning, all the preparation, all the feelings, all the opinions, everything is valid. Also, I can’t help with a little tinge of excitement. This marks a new beginning for us,” said Leandra Ostrom, Principal, Horace Mann Elementary.

Horace Mann Elementary School has served the Fargo community for 111 years. Serving children from kindergarten to the second grade. And in the Fall of 2028, a new Horace Mann will open, combining with Roosevelt and Madison students in one school.

“I’m looking forward to the learning. I’m looking forward to the visualization of it coming off of a 3D rendering to an actual build,” said Ostrom.

The new building will address aging infrastructure, provide better access to resources, and provide flexible learning spaces. The school will hold up to 444 students in grades K–fifth.

“We have to move forward, and so that’s the tough part, that’s the rub. How do we move forward? And so this is one way, and I’m really proud of our district for taking that challenge on. And I’m really grateful that we were able to let the community in to grieve in their own way,” said Ostrom.

While the construction of the new school is still a bit away, many look forward to the future and hold dear their memories of being a student at Horace Mann.

“Once a Spartan, always a Spartan,” said Sam.

Bricks from the Horace Mann Elementary School building will be made available to community members for free from noon to 4:30 p.m. on Monday, July 6.