Groundbreaking set for new elementary school

After years of delays, the Philadelphia School District will break ground on a new Frances E. Willard Elementary school next week.

The new school will include a two-story, 96,000-square-foot building for 850 students. Planned is an industrial-looking exterior with a combination of steel and masonry structures. The new Willard will rise on a former cemetery site, which was most recently used by the city as a recreation center. Human remains buried at the site have been moved.

The Kensington school community has been waiting for a new building since 1998. In the current Willard building, the only student restrooms are in the basement. Also, the school has no cafeteria, so students must eat in their classrooms.

The groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday at the current school site, 2900 Emerald St. - Kristen A. Graham