The Galena Park (Texas) Independent School District has held a dedication ceremony for a replacement Jacinto City Elementary School.

The $26 million, 119,000-square-foot school is two stories and will serve 966 students in grades Pre-K through 5.

"Today has been a dream to so many for a while," says John Moore, Galena Park Superintendent.

The architect, VLK Architects, says in a news release that the theme of the new building incorporates a nod to the previous elementary school.

The design introduces collaboration spaces to support collaboration and socialization.

Science labs, with access to the outdoors, enable meaningful content instruction. An abundance of natural light throughout provides a warm learning environment.

A hand-tiled mural from the previous school was saved and installed in the new building. It will welcome new students and serve as a reminder of the roots of Jacinto City Elementary.