January 2023 marks the 10 year anniversary for El Dorado Middle School’s new building. The new facility was part of a long-range facility plan drafted with community support and approved by the school district’s board of education to replace all of the aging school structures with new facilities where students could thrive.
El Dorado High School’s new construction was completed in 2008, Skelly opened their new doors in 2012, and the new El Dorado Middle School welcomed students mid-year in January 2013. The final phase of the long-range plan was completed in 2018, with the opening of Grandview’s new building, the combination of Jefferson and Lincoln elementaries into the new Blackmore facility, and renovation of the old middle school into the District Performing Arts Center and EHS Extend Campus. This means that all USD 490 students are learning in facilities that are younger than their parents. EHS, now the oldest school in the district, is only 15 years old.
The new EMS cost $20,600,000 and is 101,579 square feet. The building contains two gymnasiums and has the capacity to serve 550 students in grades 6-8. The district expanded their 1:1 technology program into the middle school by providing an iPod Touch for each six through eighth grade student in 2010. Their creative integration of technology into everyday lessons has earned them the honor of being an Apple Distinguished School since 2017.
None of the building’s features would matter if not for excellent staff who put those features to good use to serve students. There are over 20 staff members who greeted students as they entered the new building’s doors a decade ago who are still inspiring students in our middle school classrooms today. 
Back Row (L-R): Lindsay Cooper, LuAnne Vides, Re Jeannia West, Rod Luehrs, Les Limón, Richard Garbee, Adam Olson Front Row (L-R): Kirstie Towner, Deanna Korkki, Misty Jeffress, Anna Arpin, Karla King, Lorra Gillis, Dawn Rush, Kelly Payé Not pictured: Russell Baker, Gina Meyer, Kevin Monroe, Diane Reeves