Beaufort County celebrates opening of new Washington Elementary School

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WASHINGTON, N.C. (WITN) - Many Beaufort County elementary school students will soon be walking the halls of a brand-new school.

Monday, Beaufort County officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the opening of the Washington Elementary School facility on Hudnell Street.

Construction began on the new 135,000-square-foot facility back in December 2024.

Earlier this year, Beaufort County Schools voted to close Eastern Elementary School and John Cotton Tayloe Elementary School in anticipation of the new school opening this fall.

The school will welcome students in Pre-K through 3rd grade next week.

Families and students are welcome to attend open houses scheduled for Wednesday for Pre-K through first grade, and Thursday for second and third graders.

Beaufort County Schools was awarded $42 million from a needs-based grant from the NC Department of Public Instruction in 2023 to build the new, consolidated school.