The Little Rock School District (LRSD) is proud to announce an addition to its newest fleet of schools with Thursday’s grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Dr. Marian G. Lacey K-8 Academy (MGLK8) located at 9417 Geyer Springs Road. The ceremony featured a laser show and indoor sparklers as a couple of hundred guests celebrated the state-of-the-art school and its namesake.
Lacey, who retired after 30 years in the District, died in 2017. She was a beloved educator and administrator for whom LRSD’s top teacher award is also named. It is almost two years to the day that the District broke ground on the 238,000-square-foot campus, surrounded by Lacey family members, students, parents, teachers, and dignitaries. Many of the same guests returned to mark Thursday’s milestone.
MGLK8 is situated on the former McClellan High School site and will serve approximately 1,400 students zoned for Baseline and Meadowcliff elementary schools as well as Cloverdale Middle School. The construction of the MGLK8 Academy involved the excavation of over 50,000 cubic yards of dirt to make room for the impressive three-story building, which includes over 1,100 tons of steel. Situated on a spacious 13-acre site, the academy features a new entry drive, designated lanes for parent and bus drop-off, and ample parking for employees, staff, and visitors.
The school boasts 84 state-of-the-art classrooms, a versatile cafetorium, and a competition gymnasium with seating for 1,500 people. The school also includes a broadcast studio, media center, kitchen, science labs, music and art rooms, a dance studio, project labs, maker spaces, and the District’s only FEMA-certified tornado shelter to ensure the safety of students and staff. Site improvements encompass new landscaping and irrigation, modern playgrounds, a Special Education sensory garden, and a soon-to-come football field, providing a comprehensive and engaging learning environment.
"The opening of the Dr. Marian G. Lacey K-8 Academy marks a monumental moment in our community's history," said Dr. Jermall Wright, LRSD Superintendent. "This new facility honors a phenomenal educator in Dr. Lacey and is a testament to our commitment to providing world-class education and opportunities for all students, regardless of their zip code. We are grateful to the voters and our community for their unwavering support in making this dream a reality."
Students, parents, and teachers provided input about what they’d like to see in their new school. Cromwell Architects incorporated their input into the design, and Clark and Con-Real Construction teams executed Cromwell’s vision.
Dr. Marian G. Lacey K-8 Academy will open this fall under the leadership of Don Porter. Porter surprised the Lacey family and McClellan alums by paying homage to their now shared connection through a “Legacy Room.”