CREC Plans Groundbreaking For Aerospace, Engineering School

ROCKY HILL — Work has started on the CREC Academy of Aeorspace and Engineering Elementary School site in Rocky Hill, and a groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for Thursday morning.

“We are excited to move forward with this important project,” CREC Executive Director Greg Florio said. “Students, family, staff and the community will hopefully see concrete evidence of our investment in this theme and the students’ future.”

The magnet school, which focuses on science, technology, engineering and math, opened in Rocky Hill in 2013. The school is currently located on Brook Street, but was in need of a permanent location and more space.

The new 89,000-square-foot facility will be across the street from the current school. CREC officials said it will be built in a radial layout that provides students with a courtyard to play and gather in, away from cars and buses.

The school is described by officials as a “versatile learning space” and is expected to open in August 2020. The school will serve 700 students from kindergarten to fifth grade.

“The property selected for the new school facility is going to provide these students with a wonderful opportunity to learn both indoors and outdoors,” CREC Superintendent Tim Sullivan said. “We cannot wait to get started so they can move in as soon as possible.”

According to a plan presented to the Rocky Hill town planning and zoning commission, the school will have athletic fields and a playscape that Rocky Hill residents could use.

The ceremony, with CREC officials, members of the Rocky Hill board of education and state department of education, will start at 10:30 a.m. at the future site of the school. Parking is available at 525 Brook St.