Here’s what’s changed in Cumberland-North Yarmouth schools as students return
Cumberland Schools Near Completion of One‑Campus Vision
New pre‑kindergarten building, expanded classrooms and revamped roadways signal a fresh start for the district.
CUMBERLAND — In the heart of Maine’s South Coast, the Maine School Administrative District 51 (MSAD 51) is putting the finishing touches on a $53.5‑million, voter‑approved “One Campus” plan that will reshape the district’s schools in Cumberland and North Yarmouth. With the new pre‑K‑first‑grade building—named the Carolyn F. Small School—halfway complete, the district is moving from construction to prep for the 2027‑28 school year.
A Vision for Growth
The One Campus project was born of a need to accommodate a growing student population. In June 2024 voters approved the $53.5 million package, which includes a new pre‑K‑first‑grade facility, an expansion of the existing elementary school, a new turf field for Greely High, and a maintenance building that was finished last year. “We’re starting to see the results of all this, several years of work and design and planning. It’s great to see things getting done,” said MSAD 51 superintendent Jeff Porter.
Carolyn F. Small School: From Blueprint to Building
Ground was broken on the Carolyn F. Small School in June 2025, and the structure now sits in the middle of its two‑year build. “It’s really starting to look like a school from the outside,” Porter added. The exterior sheathing is mostly finished and interior framing is almost complete. Roofing work is slated to begin shortly, with a goal of making the building weather‑tight within the next month so that interior work can proceed over winter. The school is slated to open in August 2027, with construction expected to finish in June 2027, giving district staff the summer to finish cleaning and interior outfitting.
Expanding the Mabel I. Wilson School
The Mabel I. Wilson School, currently serving pre‑K through third grade, received a significant addition this summer. Four new classrooms and several small‑group rooms were added, and the roof—previously in “dire shape” and leaking—was fully replaced. “After removing the modular classrooms, we’ll work on the grounds to bring back a field for the middle school and create a playground,” Porter said. The school will shift to serve grades 2‑4 at the start of the 2027‑28 school year as part of a broader grade reconfiguration.
Roads and Traffic: Making the Campus Safer
Campus Drive, the road that snakes through the district’s grounds, was re‑configured and paved between Main Street and the track to create a new bus loop and a direct entrance for the Small School. The change reduced parking spots on the Greely Center for the Arts side of Greely High but added space on the opposite side—a shift that took place last year.
Because the project attracts more people to the campus, the Maine Department of Transportation required the district to support off‑site traffic‑management upgrades. This summer, a new sidewalk was added to Tuttle Road, crosswalks and flashing lights were installed on Tuttle Road and Main Street, and a four‑way crossing was built on Middle Road. “We’ll have less disruption this school year than we did last year when all the concrete trucks were coming and going all the time,” Porter said.
Looking Ahead
As the 2026–27 school year begins, students, families, and staff will see a markedly different campus. The new pre‑K facility will open the day of the school year’s start, while construction crews will shift from campus drive to a designated off‑site route. The district’s goal is to finish the Small School by June 2027 and open it in the fall, creating a seamless learning environment for young students.
The One Campus plan, still in progress, reflects a community’s investment in education and the promise of a modern, integrated school system for Cumberland and North Yarmouth. With the majority of construction underway and only a few more months until the new buildings open, the district’s vision is steadily coming to life.
