The McDuffie County School System will host a ribbon cutting event for the new Maxwell Elementary School building on July 30 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. The 115,000 square foot facility consolidates the old Maxwell Elementary and Thomson Elementary schools, welcoming students in pre-kindergarten through third grade for the start of the 2025-2026 school year.
“We are so proud of the new Maxwell Elementary School and the high-quality education that this state-of-the-art building will help us provide,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mychele Rhodes. “It is going to be something that the children in this community enjoy for many years to come.”
Site preparation work began in October of 2023, and a construction ground-breaking ceremony took place in April of 2024. The project was funded through a combination of general obligation bonds that were approved as part of SPLOST, additional SPLOST funds, capital outlay funds from the Georgia Department of Education, and the system’s general fund.
The building is a spoke and hub design, allowing administrators to supervise the entire building from one central location. It contains 55 instructional units, including 37 regular classrooms, five pre-k classrooms, four STEM labs, four dedicated special education rooms, a computer lab, an art room, a full-sized gym, a music room, a media center, a cafetorium, and an outdoor classroom. The design also allows for construction of 12 additional classrooms if needed in the future.
The high efficiency HVAC system and LED lights installed in the new Maxwell Elementary will save money on power consumption. Buses will enter from White Oak Rd., and the parent drop off and pick up entrance will be located on the bypass.
“I’m thrilled to welcome our families to this exciting new chapter,” said Maxwell Elementary Principal Jamie Maddox. “Our beautiful new facility is a place where students will grow, learn, and thrive, and I can’t wait for everyone to see it during our ribbon-cutting celebration.”
The grand opening event will begin with remarks from Dr. Rhodes, McDuffie County Board of Education Chair Susan Benning-Tutt, and Parrish Construction Group Vice President Jim Fallon. It will culminate with a ribbon cutting at the front entrance of the school, located at 2001 East Bypass, Thomson, Ga. The school will be open afterward for public tours. Bottled water and light refreshments will be available.