With the first day of school less than a month away, teachers at two new East Baton Rouge Parish School System elementary schools began preparations for the first day of class this week. On Monday, July 20, teachers and staff at the new Woodlawn Elementary School and the renovated and expanded The Dufrocq School began moving in to their classrooms and offices.

The Dufrocq School is located at South 19th Street. The original building, built in 1922 and consisting of 30,600 square feet, has been completely renovated and updated with the latest technology and safety features. In addition, more than 46,187 square feet has been added to the campus with a new building that now fronts Government Street across from the Garden District. 

The campus now comprises over 77,000 square feet, which includes 36 classrooms, a media center, gardens for Montessori classrooms and a renovated auditorium.

The total cost for renovations and the new building was $19 million which included design, construction, land purchases and other miscellaneous costs.

Woodlawn Elementary School is a newly constructed school located at 8160 Antioch Road in the southeast part of the parish. The campus comprises approximately 79,000 square feet. The school has 36 classrooms, a media center and a multi-purpose area with stage. The cost of the new school was approximately $17 million.

Funds used to build both schools are part of a tax plan that voters in East Baton Rouge Parish originally approved in 1998. The plan was renewed in 2003 for five years and again in 2008 for 10 years.