Clovis Unified's newest school ready for the school year

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The finishing touches are being added to Clovis Unified's newest school.

Summer break may be winding down but students and staff are eager to start their first day at Virginia R. Boris Elementary. The newest addition to Clovis Unified will welcome close to 600 students on August 22.

"To finally see it come to this point is so exciting," said Erin Gage who is the school's first principal.

Gage has spent the last year creating what she calls "a 21st century learning experience for students."

"I spent a lot of time looking at technology, looking at flexible learning environments, looking at what that could mean for an elementary student," she explained.

The home of the chargers features indoor class hallways, each decorated to encourage students to strive for excellence.

Teachers may still be putting the finishing touches on their classrooms but they're already getting creative when it comes to the flexible seating."

"They're given opportunities to collaborate and communicate and use their critical thinking skills and really just think outside of the box. And have opportunities for learning that are more hands on," Gage said.

The design is staying true to the school's namesake, Virginia R. Boris, an educator who worked for Clovis unified for more than 3 decades.

"She's an amazing educator and an amazing woman," Gage said. "I looked up to her since I was a little girl so I've known her since I was a student in this district."

The 53 thousand square foot campus is located at Temperance and Clinton Avenues, just a stone's throw away from a new housing development.

Students attending Boris Elementary will feed into Clovis East.