Submitted Photo The outside of the new White Shield School, where students will be attending classes within a few weeks.

Students and teachers in White Shield are excited to move into their brand new school building in a few weeks, said high school principal Stacey Blacksmith.

A ground breaking for the school, which has been under construction since 2015, was held last week

Blacksmith said the building must be inspected because it is a Bureau of Indian Affairs School. After it has passed its inspection, classes can be held in the buiding, hopefully by the second week in November.

“What we’re going to be moving into is going to be amazing,” said Blacksmith.

For years, some classes and offices have been located in modules outside the old school.

The old school gymnasium was too small to accommodate crowds, so spectators sat on the stage or stood by the door.

Now the district has hopes of hosting a district volleyball tournament within a few years.

Blacksmith said the K-12 school is modern and up to date.

No decision has yet been made about what will be done with the old school.

The school was funded through the MHA Nation and was brought about thanks to the hard work of tribal council member Fred Fox and others.

There are 147 students in grades K-12 at White Shield.

-Andrea Johnson