Everything is new at Laurelwood Elementary School. Teachers and administrators welcomed students to a new school year on a new campus in a new city on Aug. 10. Just a quarter mile from its old location in Santa Clara, the new Laurelwood Elementary opened its doors in Sunnyvale on time and under budget.

Students and staff got a sneak peek on Aug. 7, when the school held a ribbon-cutting for the Laurelwood community. Principal Paul Fuller was there to wield the scissors and help officially open the campus.

He was a vice principal when plans for the project started in 2016. But at every turn, he was quick to say that the finished product was a team effort.

“The amount of effort that went in, especially the last couple weeks, we mentioned Rochella and Mr. Gilbert over there, just working hours on end, late into the night, early in the mornings, weekends,” said Fuller. “We needed something; they were here, or they had someone here. They took our feedback, made so many modifications that we thought would help our students be successful.”

In addition to modern upgrades, many changes were things that weren’t thought of when the original Laurelwood campus was built in the 1950s and 60s. Modern schools have more transitional kindergarten (TK) and kindergarten classes, and those require extra classroom modifications.

The new campus also has shared spaces for the students, such as a wellness center, STEAM innovation lab and a larger library. Something the kids picked up on quickly.

“It’s better than the old campus,” said fifth-grader Saksham, who was thrilled with the STEAM innovation lab.

Fourth-grader Adelene was awed when she walked into the new library.

“My two favorite rooms are the library and the room that we went before here. It had a big tent, and it had books and toys and tables,” she said, referring to the wellness center.

Her mom, Lizandra, was also all smiles on the tour. 

“I was not expecting it to be like this. Very, very modern, very huge. It seems very inviting. I like the layout of the classroom,” said Lizandra.

But maybe more thrilling for the mom who also has a toddler is the drop-off and pick-up.

“I like how for the drop-off and pick-up, it’s bigger,” said Lizandra with a laugh.

Located at 1095 Dunford Way in Sunnyvale, the new Laurelwood campus is close to the old campus at 955 Teal Drive in Santa Clara. The change in address comes with the added perk of being right next to the district’s farm.

While every Santa Clara Unified School District school can take an annual trip to the farm, Principal Fuller is working with the district to hopefully have more frequent visits.

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