On Friday, July 31^st, around a hundred people gathered for a ribbon cutting at Jacob G. Smith Elementary School. Those gathered included neighbors, District leaders, Board members, current and former staff members, along with the grandson and family of the school’s namesake.

Named for Savannah philanthropist Jacob G. Smith, whose generosity helped establish free lunch programs for local students and laid the foundation for school nutrition programs across the nation, Jacob G. Smith Elementary has served generations of children as a cornerstone of the Ardsley Park community and has spent the last year undergoing a major ESPLOST funded renovation.

The renewed campus honors its mid-century roots through the preservation of original design elements, including restored brickwork and expansive windows that fill the school with natural light. Thoughtful new learning spaces, enhanced safety features, and modern technology upgrades ensure students and staff have the resources they need to thrive. Surrounded by the iconic live oaks that have watched over the campus for decades, the new Jacob G. Smith Elementary celebrates its rich history while embracing the future.

See more photos of the ceremony and the school here.