New Virginia Elementary School Opens Doors After 2011 Earthquake

The doors are open at a new elementary school in Louisa County built to replace one destroyed by a 2011 earthquake.

The Free Lance-Star reports that officials held a ribbon-cutting Monday at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School.

The magnitude-5.8 earthquake that was centered in Mineral, Va., in 2011 destroyed both the elementary and high schools. Students have since attended classes in other schools and rented trailers.

Construction on the new high school is expected to be finished for the 2015-16 school year.

Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, students and their families explored the new facility that will serve as their home once the school year begins on Aug. 13.