DECATUR, ILL. (WAND) — After breaking ground in September 2023, the doors are finally open for a school honoring a Decatur native.
Students and community members attended the grand opening of Ellsworth Dansby Jr. Magnet School on Wednesday evening.
Dansby was born in Decatur in 1914 and was one of the first Black men to graduate from Millikin University. He went on to serve as a Tuskegee Airman in World War II and campaigned for civil rights when he returned from the war.
The new school is vibrant, with colorful new furniture and fixtures.
According to Principal Rida Ellis, having a school like this allows room for students to learn and grow.
"This opens up the opportunity for our students to be able to have music class, actual band room, classrooms for art for that teacher aren't rolling around on a cart," said Ellis.
One of the biggest advancements to the school is the new gymnasium. The previous school did not have one, so students are excited about this new amenity.
"I feel that new school will be good because basketball season is going to be good too. It's going to have more people. And our new school is going to be better than our old school," said 6th grader Rayila Kennedy.
The school is located at 2160 West Center Street, across from Oak Grove Park and will open for the 2025-2026 school year.
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