Mike Wolanin | The Republic Evelyn Cherry, from left, Alvin Cherry, Scott Eickhoff, Claire Eickhoff, Anna Ryshavy, Avery Cherry, August Edgren and Henry Edgren turn shovels of dirt during a groundbreaking ceremony for Maple Grove Elementarty School, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, in Columbus, Indiana.
Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. officials had a groundbreaking ceremony for the district’s new westside elementary school on Wednesday.
The event marked the official construction beginning for Maple Grove Elementary School, 296 Tipton Lakes Blvd.
Maple Grove is the school corporation’s 12th elementary school and the first since Clifty Creek in 1982. It’s to accommodate the city’s continued expansion and growth to the west and south and BCSC officials said it will free up space in the other 11 elementary schools for high-quality STEM instruction and flexible learning areas. This includes student common spaces and wellness support centers, as well as locations for specialized staff including occupational, physical and speech therapists.
Redistricting efforts will take place in late 2026 into 2027. School board members will consider the district’s new boundary lines in the spring of 2027. Maple Grove will be open for classes in time for the 2027-28 school year.
The design of the school by Boston-based Höweler + Yoon was funded through the Cummins Architecture Program. Höweler + Yoon was chosen to design the school after a competitive process in 2024.
School board members in August finalized the maximum price for Maple Grove at $56.5 million, which is nearly $3 million under budget. The school is being built by Taylor Brothers and Pepper Construction.
The name of Maple Grove pays respect to one of Columbus’ original schools, built in 1896 by Charles Sparrell. The former Maple Grove Elementary is the current BCSC Administration building at 1200 Central Ave., and only operated under the name for 11 years. It was renamed as Garfield Elementary in 1907 before closing as a school in 1974. The building then served as Arvin Headquarters from 1989 to 2005 when it then became the district’s administration building.
Eric Höweler, of Höweler + Yoon in May talked about the inspiration behind the school design, formed in what he called a “petal-design” that takes advantage of the scenic nature surrounding the site.
