Rusk School officials and community members broke ground Monday on a new addition that will house the school’s middle school students.

Rusk school officials and community members break ground on a new addition to the school.

The PK-8 school’s 21,000-square-foot, eight-classroom building is among the final projects under the 2007 bond program. About 40 people gathered under a tent as light rain fell during the groundbreaking at the East End neighborhood campus.

Chief School Officer Chip Zullinger said it was important to mark the day.

“This is one of the last projects, and we’re here today to get started with some new and exciting things for the future of The Rusk School,” Zullinger said.

Rusk Assistant Principal and Project Advisory Team member Wyanthia Price-Simmons said being a part of the team guiding planning and construction of the new addition has been a rewarding experience, and she has enjoyed having a voice in the process.

“My vision for the new school is a 21st century, tech-savvy facility that will enable our kids to compete with their peers,” Price-Simmons said.

Principal Eduardo Sindaco emphasized the need for middle school students to have their own space in the pursuit of college and career readiness. The school is a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) magnet school that offers pre-AP courses.

“A new building keeps all students in one area as opposed to going into temporary buildings, but further than that is the state-of-the-art technology — we’re creating a science and technology lab as well as a math and engineering lab,” Sindaco said.

Construction on the addition is set to begin this week.