The Saco School Department and City of Saco will celebrate a historic milestone on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. with the official groundbreaking ceremony for the city’s new PreK–5 school campus, a long-anticipated project that will transform elementary education for generations of Saco students.
For more than two decades, the community has envisioned new learning spaces that meet the evolving needs of students and educators. Now, thanks to an overwhelming bond approval by Saco voters and state funding covering approximately 72% of the total $140 million project, that vision is becoming a reality.
“This groundbreaking marks an extraordinary moment in Saco’s history,” said Superintendent Jeremy Ray. “After decades of planning and perseverance, we are finally breaking ground on a project that will redefine what it means to learn and grow in our city. These new schools will give our youngest learners the foundation they need to thrive—academically, socially, and emotionally—and build the confidence that will carry them through their entire educational journey.”
The new campus will feature two climate-controlled buildings—a primary school for PreK–Kindergarten students and an elementary school for Grades 1–5—connected by shared outdoor spaces and resources. Designed for flexibility, innovation, and safety, the campus includes: future-ready classrooms adaptable to evolving teaching methods; enhanced security and safety systems; a dedicated unified arts wing; expanded access to outdoor learning areas; and facilities ensuring equitable opportunities for all students. The unified campus also minimizes transitions for Saco’s youngest learners, providing greater stability while enabling teachers to collaborate more easily across grade levels.
The Groundbreaking Ceremony will take place at the future campus site. Due to limited parking and active construction, all attendees must park at the Saco Public Works lot at 15 Phillips Spring Road and board a shuttle by 10:45 a.m. Attendees are asked to RSVP online at https://tinyurl.com/SacoGroundbreaking and are encouraged to wear warm clothing and flat, weather-appropriate boots due to Maine’s unpredictable weather and the uneven terrain of the site. Following the ceremony, guests will return to the Public Works lot for light refreshments and community conversation.
The project’s completion is anticipated by Fall 2028 at which time a community-wide open house will be scheduled to celebrate the official opening of the new schools.