The T/E School District is excited to announce that, following an extensive public engagement process, the District’s new school will be named Bear Hill Elementary School.
The naming process included multiple opportunities for community input. The Ad Hoc Public Information Committee met in November to initiate discussions, followed by an online form that allowed community members to submit name suggestions. After reviewing submissions, a second Public Information Committee Meeting was held in January, and another online form allowed the public to provide feedback on the final four name choices. The process concluded with a final Committee meeting in March, before the School Board officially approved the name at its meeting on March 24.
Throughout the process, the District was pleased to see such strong participation, with more than 1,300 instances of public input collected during key phases. The selection of Bear Hill Elementary School reflects the community’s voice and a shared vision for the new school.
The District is also grateful to the representatives from the Tredyffrin Easttown Historical Society, Tredyffrin Historic Preservation Trust, the Tredyffrin Township Historical Commission, and Mount Zion AME Church for their partnership throughout the naming process. Their insights and contributions were invaluable in ensuring the historical significance of the school’s name. We also appreciate the input of local first responders who reviewed name options from an emergency response perspective.
The District has been working closely with Tredyffrin Township to obtain all necessary approvals for the new elementary school project, culminating in the District's receipt of approval from the Tredyffrin Planning Commission in February. February also marked the conclusion of the selective demolition project that began in November. During this period, most interior walls, flooring, ceilings, mechanicals, and plumbing were removed in preparation for the building’s conversion to an elementary school. The building is currently gutted, with primarily steel and concrete remaining. Construction bid documents are scheduled to be released to interested contractors on Friday, March 28, and construction is expected to begin on both the existing building and the gym addition in August. Although the building may appear untouched from the outside, significant planning and interior demolition have already taken place, and the anticipated opening of the school remains on track for August 2027. As the project progresses, we encourage the community to stay engaged by visiting www.tesd.net/newelementaryschool for future updates and developments.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to this important decision!
