A first class celebration: Folsom Ranch dedicates Mangini Ranch Elementary School

Students, parents, school leaders and local officials gathered last week for a ceremonial ribbon cutting at the first new school at Folsom Ranch. Mangini Ranch Elementary School opened to more than 300 kindergarten through fifth-grade students on Aug. 11. "The Folsom Ranch team is pleased to celebrate with the Mangini family, school district and local leaders on the ribbon-cutting for Mangini Ranch Elementary School," said Bill Bunce, president of WestLand Capital Partners, the principal landowner at Folsom Ranch. "This is the first of five state-of-the-art elementary schools in the area, which is planned to also include a new middle school and high school." The groundbreaking for the school was held in February 2020 and the school was built on an aggressive, 18-month construction schedule that was challenged by shortages of labor and supplies during the pandemic. "Parents and students living at Folsom Ranch are thrilled that the new school was opened so quickly," said Bunce. "We appreciate the cooperative relationship with the school district that allowed that to happen." Mayor Mike Kozlowski said, "Days like this remind me how extraordinarily lucky I am to be mayor of Folsom. We often talk about the things that make Folsom so special; great parks, two lakes, amazing trails and an incredible history, but more often than not, what binds us together is our appreciation for great education." Kozlowski, an architect, said while buildings serve a function, they also serve symbolic purposes. "This particular building embodies the community's love and appreciation for education," he said while thanking the district superintendent, school board, designers and builders for giving the community a "magnificent symbol and calling card." Kozlowski has designed school buildings and said it is one of the most satisfying tasks of the craft. "Aside from the house you grow up in, the elementary school you attend will most likely be the building you spend the most time in," he said, subsequently thanking the families who have chosen Folsom as their home. Members of the Mangini family, including ranchers Al and Cassie Mangini, toured the school with Principal Canen Peterson and the district's chief operations officer, Matt Washburn, prior to the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Washburn said the project team visited many schools to interview teachers and administrators while planning Mangini Ranch Elementary School. "We started the journey to building the school more than six years ago," said Washburn, "working together to develop a new educational plan that provides a facility to afford the best opportunities for the education and achievement of the students." That effort resulted in a 75,000-square-foot, two-story building on a 10-acre campus that is ready for 668 students now with the possible expansion to an enrollment of 750 students. There are 25 classrooms, with mobile furnishings and operable partitions to provide a high degree of flexibility. Classrooms are connected by collaboration areas, including smaller, break-out spaces that accommodate project-based activities and small group instruction. Instructional areas are extended by several outdoor learning environments. "It was planned for more communication and collaboration" between students, teachers and staff, said Washburn. "A single building promotes more interaction (while) a single main entry provides more safety." "It is beautiful," said Cassie Mangini who, along with her husband, Al, grazed cattle on the property from the 1960s until five years ago. "The collaborative learning spaces and large outdoor play areas are terrific." A wide-eyed Al Mangini spotted the large "Mangini Ranch Elementary School" sign and said quietly, "I never thought … I couldn't have imagined. This is really quite an honor." The large entry area is designed to welcome students, parents and faculty into a space that features a rich combination of natural textures and colors. At the center of the entry foyer is a gathering staircase that serves as a meeting place and hub for students. "The gathering staircase is a unique and useful feature of the new school," said Joshua Hoover, clerk of the school district's board of trustees. "It is a space that can be wonderfully used for class gatherings and special events." The school features a large multipurpose room adjacent to the main entry for dining, physical education, athletics, performances and events. Technology that supports what the school district described as "anytime/anywhere learning" is available throughout the campus via wireless connectivity, inter-connected monitor and device compatibility on- and off-campus. A modern media center provides dedicated space for reading, digital research, independent study, group instruction and larger group meetings. The school is adjacent to an 11.8-acre neighborhood park site. A series of community meetings with a landscape architect hired by the city of Folsom resulted in a park design with a multi-use field that can accommodate informal soccer, rugby, festivals and farmers' markets. That plan does not include a cricket field that was shown on early designs but has children's play areas; large and small shade structures; a lighted ball field with spectator seating, dugouts and bullpens; a dog park with separate areas for large and small dogs; a lighted sports court with one tennis court and four pickleball courts; a lighted full basketball court; two lighted sand volleyball courts; informal hillside seating; a bike path and open space with native and drought-tolerant plants. Parks and recreation staff said cricket fields might be considered for a 26.2-acre community park planned at Folsom Ranch. Folsom Ranch is part of the 3,520 acres south of Highway 50 that will include more than 1,000 acres of dedicated open space, 140 acres of parks, 30 miles of new trails, five new elementary schools, a new middle school and a new high school. Full buildout of the community is expected to take 25 to 30 years. For more information, visit the website at FolsomRanch.com or call the community hotline at 916-790-9220.