A modern, safe, and inspiring space built to empower generations of White Pine leaders.
Exciting news is on the horizon for our community as the White Pine County School District moves forward with a $100 million project to build a brand-new, modern K-8 school campus right here in Ely! Thanks to a wonderful $98 million state grant made possible by Assembly Bill 224, our community is overcoming decades of tough funding hurdles. This historic investment means our local kids will finally get the safe, comfortable, and state-of-the-art learning environment they truly deserve.
This beautiful new 100,000-square-foot school will officially replace two of our deeply loved but aging historic buildings: David E. Norman Elementary (built in 1909) and White Pine Middle School (built in 1913). While these century-old schools hold generations of memories, they have long faced major uphill battles with old heating systems, mold, asbestos, and accessibility. The new consolidated campus will be built on the scenic bluff just west of White Pine High School, complete with separate, specialized wings designed just for elementary and middle schoolers.
We are designing this campus to be a vibrant, welcoming hub where our kids can truly thrive in academics, arts, and sports. Families can look forward to a spacious gymnasium, a dedicated performing arts theater, a bright lunchroom, and awesome new outdoor playgrounds and athletic fields—plus a separate attached fieldhouse with an extra gym and wrestling room! With planning and design officially underway, we are looking forward to a groundbreaking in early 2027 and opening the doors to our students by August 2029.
Campus Quick Facts & Features
Prime Location: Perfectly situated adjacent to White Pine High School (1800 Bobcat Drive) to form an ultimate, continuous educational village.
Massive Footprint: A sprawling 100,000 square feet of brilliantly designed 21st-century classrooms, cutting-edge tech labs, and flexible collaboration spaces.
Ultimate Play & Safety: Featuring fully modernized playgrounds, secure separate traffic patterns for buses and parents, brand-new athletic facilities, and top-tier infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Why is a new school being built? Our current facilities, David E. Norman Elementary (built in 1909) and White Pine Middle School (built in 1913), are over a century old. They face severe infrastructure issues, including outdated heating, mold, asbestos, and poor accessibility, making a modern replacement essential for student safety and learning.
Where will the new K-8 campus be located? The new campus will be built on the bluff directly west of White Pine High School at 1800 Bobcat Drive.
Will elementary and middle school students be mixed together? No. While the campus consolidates both age groups onto one property to save on construction and utility costs, the 100,000-square-foot facility is designed with completely separate wings for elementary and middle school students.
How is this project being funded? The $100 million project is primarily funded by a $98 million state grant secured through Nevada's Assembly Bill 224. This state framework allows the project to move forward without overwhelming local rural property tax revenues.
What features will the new campus include? The campus will feature a large gymnasium, a dedicated performing arts theater, a spacious lunchroom, modern commons areas, outdoor playgrounds, and athletic fields. Plans also include an attached fieldhouse with a secondary gym and a wrestling room.
What is the timeline for construction? Site planning and engineering are underway right now. Groundbreaking is expected to take place in early 2027, with the district aiming to open the doors for students by August 2029.
What will happen to the old historic school buildings? Specific plans for the future of the historic David E. Norman Elementary and White Pine Middle School buildings are still being evaluated by district and community officials as the project progresses.
