View Ribbon Cutting Photo Album Here
Local community leaders from Wolfforth and Lubbock, along with Ridgewood PTA parents, staff, Frenship administrators, and businesses who helped build the new school attended the ceremony that was emceed by Ridgewood’s very own students.
“Thank you for letting us be a part of this special celebration. We love our new school, and we are so thankful to have such a supportive community standing with us,” Ridgewood fifth-grader Arch Parsons said to the crowd during the ceremony.
The ribbon cutting featured Ridgewood mini-cheerleaders, a mini-Tiger mascot, several fifth graders with inflatable noisemakers to help with the drumroll, and student speakers Victoria Acuna who helped with the Pledge of Allegiance, Dallas Sahota who led the Texas Pledge, and Arch Parsons who emceed the event and introduced the special guests.
“First and foremost, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who played a role in bringing Ridgewood to reality. From the phenomenal staff who nurture, serve, and inspire our kids, to the Frenship community members and voters, and our amazing School Board, who saw the need to accommodate our growth. Your commitment to the students, families, staff, and entire Frenship community has made this day possible,” said Ridgewood Principal Brandy Copeland. “As we prepare to cut this ribbon, let’s remember that this school is more than just bricks and mortar; it’s a community hub, a place for families to gather, and a support system for our children. We will be good stewards of this blessing.”
Construction on the 112,000 square foot campus began in November of 2022 and includes more than 60 classrooms, a full-sized competition gym, and amenities similar to Frenship’s other elementary schools. Last fall, the community, parents, students, and staff helped name the new school, and this August the staff welcomed more than 500 students through Ridgewood’s doors for the first day of school.
The addition of Ridgewood was part of the 2020 Bond where Frenship voters approved the construction of three new school to help accommodate the rapid growth the district is experiencing. In addition to Ridgewood, Alcove Trails Middle School opened last August and Frenship’s second high school, Frenship Memorial High School, will open in August of 2025. The opening of Ridgewood helped alleviate crowding at elementary campuses like Upland Heights and Bennett; However, demographers predict Frenship will welcome 1,000 new elementary-aged students in the next five years.
With the housing boom in the Frenship area along the northern and southern boundaries of the district, demographers predict that by 2033 Upland Heights will have more than 1,100 students and Willow Bend will have more than 1,500. To address the growth at the elementary level, Frenship ISD is proposing Proposition B on the November 5 ballot to build two more elementary campuses. To read more about Frenship’s growth, the three propositions, and projects, CLICK HERE.