Kennewick’s first dual language elementary school, Fuerza Elementary, is ready to open its doors to students on Aug. 28. 

The 66,338-square-foot school features 30 classrooms, a gym, cafeteria, library, offices, specialist spaces and playground.

It’s built on the former site of Desert Hills Middle School and will be home to all of the district’s dual language elementary students who attended Edison or Hawthorne elementary schools.

The estimated cost of the project is more than $18 million, with funding coming from a state K-3 class size reduction grant.

The design is based on the new Westgate Elementary and Amon Creek Elementary.

The public is welcome to attend a ribbon-cutting and tour the school at 10 a.m. Aug. 23 at 6011 W. 10th Place.

Jaime Silva is the school’s principal.

The general contractor was Fowler General Construction of Richland.

The architect was MMEC Architecture & Interiors of Kennewick.

The old gym building on the site will become the new location for Mid-Columbia Partnership, the district’s homeschool program. The $6.7 renovation project will be completed and open to students in January 2019.