Columbia Public Schools celebrates opening of Eagles Bluffs Elementary

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A major addition to Columbia Public Schools will officially be welcomed Monday afternoon with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Eagle Bluffs Elementary School.

The district's newest elementary school is located on 5400 S. Sinclair Road next to John Warner Elementary School.

The new two-story, $36 million facility spans 76,5000 square feet was approved by voters in two bond issue elections -- one in 2018 to purchase land as part of the planning for John Warner Middle School and one in 2022 to construct the school.

CPS broke ground on the project in 2024, and the school was completed on schedule for its planned fall 2026 opening.

The new facility can accommodate up to 740 students and approximately 140 staff members. During a tour of the school in December 2025, district officials told ABC 17 News they expected Eagle Bluffs Elementary to open with about 400 students and roughly 70 staff members, allowing room for future enrollment growth.

The school offers six color-coded learning pods, each with its own unique theme and color scheme. The names for the pods are Field, Lake, Cave, City, Prairie and Woodlands to go along with the Eagle Bluffs Conservation area located on the Missouri River south of Columbia.

Safety was a top priority in the school's design, according to CPS officials. Eagle Bluffs Elementary features a secure vestibule with bullet-resistant glass at the main entrance to help control access to the building.

District officials said the school is also equipped with classroom safety features, including window shades that can be quickly deployed during a security emergency. If someone were to get past the secure vestibule, the shades allow students and staff to move to designated areas inside classrooms where they cannot be seen through the windows.

The school will also have the Raptor System that CPS has throughout all district buildings, that requires all guests to check in with a photo ID.

The school's gymnasium can serve as a storm shelter.

The first day of school for CPS is Aug. 25.