Jordan School District opens new elementary school

HERRIMAN, Utah — It was another big day for thousands of students across the state Thursday as schools at nearly a dozen school districts opened their doors — including a new elementary school in the Jordan School District.

Only one road will take you to Oak Leaf Elementary and it’s not on the map. The campus sits in the middle of the field a few blocks from a neighborhood on the edge of Herriman City.

But for many students and staff, the newness of Oak Leaf — with its nearly untouched halls, chairs and tables — is part of what makes the first day of class so exciting.

“I’m kind of nervous but I think it will be great,” said Lucy, a third grader. “I’m excited to meet new friends.”

Lucy is one of more than 500 students attending Oak Leaf this year. Many of them transferred from three other schools in the area.

“It’s really fun to open up a new school because you get the unique opportunity to create something special where everyone is new,” said Angie Alm, a sixth-grade teacher in her 24th year of teaching.

“I don’t look at that as a challenge, I look at that as an exciting opportunity,” Principal Ronna Hoffman said. “To just unite everyone together and make this our school.”

The new elementary school brings the total number of schools in the Jordan School District to 67, serving more than 58,000 students.

“We are just looking so forward to being a team with you, do what’s best for your kids,” Hoffman said.

Hoffman expects the school will continue to grow throughout the year. They already had to add a teacher position opening to accommodate the growing number of students.

“We love your kids. We treat your kids at school just like our own children,” Alm said.

“We see your children more during the school year than we see our family and so we really try to create that culture and that climate in our classrooms so that kids love being here.”