FARGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Educating and Empowering All Students to Succeed
New Horace Mann Elementary School
On July 8, 2025, the Fargo Board of Education approved moving forward with the design and planning phases for a new elementary school located at the current Horace Mann Elementary School site. The project calls for the construction of a new, centrally located, three-section elementary school that will have the capacity to serve approximately 444 students in grades K–5. Once completed, this new school will bring together the Horace Mann–Roosevelt and Madison attendance areas into a single, unified school community. The existing Roosevelt and Madison school buildings will be closed once the new facility is ready to open in Fall 2028.
This decision represents the first major capital project under Phase 1 of the Fargo Public School Districts’ Long-Range Facility Plan and reflects our commitment to providing all students with safe, equitable, and modern learning environments.
The new facility is designed to provide:
- Improved learning environments with updated, flexible, and inclusive instructional spaces, eliminating barriers created by aging infrastructure and split-campus arrangements.
- Greater equity by addressing facility disparities and ensuring consistent access to programs, resources, and services.
- Financial stewardship through consolidating buildings and long-term savings for staffing, maintenance, and utilities.
- Strategic community impact with future planning for repurposing or sale of the existing Roosevelt and Madison buildings.
On September 9, 2025, the Board approved hiring ICON Architectural Group to provide architect services for the new school. On October 14, the Board accepted the proposal from Kraus Anderson Construction for construction management at risk services for the school. And, on November 12, 2025, the Board approved hiring KFI Engineers for commissioning agent services. The City of Fargo requires building commissioning for projects of this size, which ensures mechanical, electrical, and envelope systems perform as intended and the facility meets energy efficiency and operational standards at occupancy.
Transition Plan
Over the next two years, Fargo Public Schools (FPS) will consolidate Horace Mann, Roosevelt, and Madison Elementary Schools into one new facility, scheduled to open in Fall 2028. During the 2026–27 and 2027–28 school years, students affected by construction or new attendance boundaries will attend Washington, Roosevelt, or Madison while the new Horace Mann Elementary School is being built.
District administration has created a transition plan to support students and families. The plan includes:
- A project and transition timeline
- Details on the temporary relocation of Horace Mann and Madison students during construction
- Transportation plans
- Estimated school capacity
- Grandfathering information
Project Updates
History Harvest Events
To honor the history and legacy of our elementary schools and celebrate the journey toward their consolidation into a single new facility, the District will host a series of History Harvest events at Horace Mann, Roosevelt, and Madison Elementary Schools.
These community-centered events are designed to gather stories, artifacts, and memories from alumni, students, families, staff, and residents. Information and materials collected will be preserved in a digital time capsule and may help inspire elements within the design of the new elementary school.
HORACE MANN ELEMENTARY
January 15 | 5:30–7:00 PM
MADISON ELEMENTARY
January 22 | 5:30–7:00 PM
ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY
February 17 | 5:30–7:00 PM
All are welcome — current families, former students, staff, and community friends.
Horace Mann School Tours
Horace Mann Elementary School is inviting the community to come take a walk down memory lane inside the historic building before it is demolished following the completion of this school year. The building will be open to the community for self-guided tours on the following dates:
Wednesday, November 26 ∙ 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Monday, December 29 ∙ 5:00-8:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 11 ∙ 12:00-4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 13 ∙ 5:30-8:00 p.m.
The Horace Mann building was first occupied in 1915. The school was built on the city circus ground, which was considered to be in the country at the time. There were no additions to the school until 1995 when an elevator was added. Horace Mann is a paired school with Roosevelt Elementary School with Horace Mann serving Grades K-2 and Roosevelt serving Grades 3-5.
Administration Announcement
Fargo Public Schools has announced the assignment of Leandra Ostrom as principal of the new Horace Mann Elementary School, which is set to open in Fall 2028.
Leandra Ostrom has served as principal of Horace Mann Roosevelt Elementary School since 2017 and will continue to serve as principal at Roosevelt Elementary School while the new elementary school is being constructed. Ostrom began with Fargo Public Schools in 2001, serving as special education teacher at Washington Elementary School, North High School, Longfellow Elementary School, and Centennial Elementary School. She was also a student performance strategist and an administrative intern at Centennial. She began her career in education as a first and second grade teacher in Paraparaumu, New Zealand in 1998.
Ostrom holds a Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction, a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, a Bachelor of Science in Special Education - Emotional Disturbance / Learning Disabilities, and an administration credential from Minnesota State University Moorhead.
The new Horace Mann Elementary School, to be built on the site of the current Horace Mann Elementary School, will bring together the Horace Mann Roosevelt and Madison Elementary School attendance areas into a single, unified school community. The new, three-section elementary school will have the capacity to serve approximately 444 students in grades K–5. The current Horace Mann Elementary School building wil be demolished at the conclusion of this school year to make way for the new school. The existing Roosevelt and Madison school buildings will be closed once the new facility is ready to open.
School Naming
Fargo Public Schools sought submissions for names for the new elementary school to be constructed on the Horace Mann Elementary School site at 1025 3rd Street North, Fargo. The submission window was open from 9 a.m. October 10 through 4 p.m. October 24. At their November 12 meeting, School Board members narrowed down the options from the submitted list to their top five names of Prairie Rose, Horace Mann, North Star, Martin Luther King Jr. and Unity. At the November 25 Board meeting, Board members unanimously approved retaining the name Horace Mann for the new school.
Geotechnical Study
As part of the early planning for the new school, geotechnical study borings are scheduled to take place at Horace Mann on October 9, 10, and 13. These borings are a routine and necessary step to assess soil conditions before construction.
To ensure the safety of all students and community members, each boring will be backfilled and securely capped immediately after completion.
FPS and Horace Mann are working closely with the geotechnical team to minimize disruption and maintain a safe environment throughout the process.
FAQs
Updated December 2025
1. What is the project and why is it happening?
The District is building a new elementary school on the Horace Mann site that will combine the Horace Mann–Roosevelt and Madison attendance areas into one centrally located, modern school. This project is part of the District’s Long-Range Facility Plan and will allow us to provide more equitable access to high-quality learning environments while improving efficiency and long-term sustainability. The new school will address aging infrastructure, support equitable access to resources, and allow for better use of district funds.
2. What will happen to Horace Mann, Roosevelt, and Madison schools?
At the end of the 2025-26 school year, Horace Mann Elementary School will close, and construction will begin on the site. Construction of the new school will occur during the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years. Once the new school is built, the current Roosevelt and Madison schools will be closed. The new facility will open in Fall 2028 and serve students from all three communities.
3. Where will Horace Mann students go during construction?
Students attending Horace Mann Elementary School will need to attend a different school during the 2026–27 and 2027–28 school years while the new building is under construction. This is due to the safety of staff and students, and for the new school to be built in the best location on the site. New school attendance boundaries have been set for the 2026-27 school year and a transition plan has been developed for families.
4. Will there be attendance boundary changes?
Yes. The establishment of a new school in this location will require attendance boundary changes for the north side of the school district. For attendance boundaries and more information, see the transition plan.
5. How many students will the new school serve?
The new school is being designed as a three-section school (three classrooms per grade, K–5) and will have the capacity to serve approximately 444 students.
6. How will families be kept informed?
Updates will be provided via email, school communications, and the District website.
7. Will there be transportation for students during the transition?
Yes. Please see the transition plan for more information.
8. How will the new school benefit students and families?
The new facility will offer:
- Updated, flexible learning spaces designed for collaboration and inclusion
- More equitable and efficient access to programs, resources, and services
- Improved safety and accessibility features
- A long-term solution to address aging buildings, outdated infrastructure and split-campus arrangements
9. What happens to the Roosevelt and Madison buildings after the new school opens?
Once the new school opens, the Roosevelt and Madison buildings will be closed. The district will develop plans to repurpose or sell those properties as part of our long-term facility footprint.
10. What will the new school look like?
On July 8, 2025, the Board of Education approved administration proceeding with preliminary design and planning for a new elementary school at the Horace Mann site. Administration will now advertise for an architect to work on the project and assist in developing the plans for the new school. Renderings of what the school will look like will be available in the coming months and shared with the community once developed.
11. How is this project being funded?
Fargo Public Schools has the ability to issue bonds to pay for the new school. For this project, voter approval was not necessary. This project is being carefully planned to avoid placing extra tax burdens on our community. The District used this same method for the construction of Ed Clapp Elementary School, Eagles Elementary School, and Explorer Academy.