NEW $55M K–8 SCHOOL COMING TO GRAND FORKS AFB: WHAT MILITARY FAMILIES SHOULD KNOW

For years, families stationed at Grand Forks Air Force Base have sent their children to Nathan F. Twining Elementary and Middle School, the base’s only K–8 public school. The school serves more than 300 PreK–8 students, and every single one is military-connected.

A federal facility assessment flagged serious capacity and condition deficiencies at Twining, placing it 70th on the 2019 “Public Schools on Military Installations Priority List.” That ranking made the campus eligible for a major construction grant to upgrade public schools on military bases.

With these critical needs identified, the vision for a new, improved school is now becoming a reality.

The New Twining: Size, Capacity, and Design

The new Twining K–8 replacement school will be built on Grand Forks AFB as a modern, purpose-built campus designed around how military kids actually learn and live.

According to project documentation and the design team:

• The new building is planned to be approximately 110,000 square feet.
• It’s designed to serve up to 500 PreK–8 students, significantly increasing capacity over current enrollment.
• The campus will include new athletic fields, parking, and reconfigured drop-off and pick-up lanes to improve safety and traffic flow.

Inside, the layout is built around “learning neighborhoods” instead of traditional, isolated hallways:

• Early Childhood, K–5, and 6–8 zones
• Dedicated areas for Fine Arts and STEM
• Large, flexible labs designed to support evolving curriculum and hands-on projects

The design also emphasizes secure entryways, improved circulation, and spaces that can support both everyday instruction and whole-community events on base.

Sustainability and “Building as Teacher”

The new Twining school is intended to be both energy-efficient and educational in its operations.

The design targets at least LEED Silver-level performance, with key features under consideration or planned, including:

• High-performance windows and a robust building envelope
• LED lighting and enhanced natural daylight
• High-efficiency mechanical systems
• Potential geothermal and solar photovoltaic (PV) panels

An “energy dashboard” and exposed building systems are planned so students can see real-time data on energy, water, temperature, and indoor air quality. The goal is to turn the school itself into a teaching tool for applied STEM/STEAM and environmental literacy.

How the Project Is Funded

The new school is funded by a major federal grant through the U.S. Department of Defense’s Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC), under the Public Schools on Military Installations Program.

Key funding facts:

• OLDCC awarded $55,249,082 to Grand Forks Air Force Base Public School District No. 140.
• That grant represents the federal share of a larger $69 million project to construct the new Twining Elementary and Middle School.
• The federal government covers about 80% of costs, with local sources covering the remainder, focusing grants on schools with significant needs.

OLDCC states the grant is meant to improve education, support military recruitment and retention, and strengthen community partnerships.

What Leaders Are Saying

Federal and local leaders have framed the new Twining school as both a quality-of-life investment and a readiness issue.

U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), who serves as chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee’s Airland Subcommittee, highlighted the project’s direct support of military families,

“When we talk about supporting our military families, this kind of investment is exactly what we mean.” — Sen. Kevin Cramer.

He also stressed that students at Twining should no longer be in an outdated facility, saying that military children should not have to “settle for outdated, unsafe, or overcrowded schools,” and that “every child deserves to learn in safe and modern facilities.”

Senator John Hoeven (R-ND), a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee, underscored the education and mission connection,

“It’s vital that bases like Grand Forks AFB have the capacity to support the educational needs of service members’ families, and the grant is meant to ensure students receive the high-quality education they deserve.”

On the local side, Grand Forks Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Terry Brenner has repeatedly emphasized both the base’s importance to the broader community and the school’s role in the installation. He called Grand Forks AFB “an essential part of our community’s fabric” and described the new building:

“With OLDCC’s support, the district can move forward on a school that serves as a central hub of learning, support, and connection for generations of military families, a long-term commitment to Airmen, their dependents, and the unique needs of military life.”

In an earlier discussion of the design, Brenner also noted there is “a lot of excitement” about what the new school could mean for the base community and for families moving in with new missions.

Timeline and Project Status

While some cost estimates and design details evolved during planning, the key milestones are now clear:

• OLDCC grant announcement: early December 2025
• Project status: listed as “In Progress” by the construction firm leading the build.
• Planned completion date: 2026, per the architect’s project listing.

Families can expect on-site construction activity and phased work as the new facility replaces the existing Twining campus, with the goal of maintaining continuity of instruction throughout.

What It Means for Military Families on Base

For military families at Grand Forks AFB, the new Twining school represents a significant upgrade, providing a better learning environment for children who often face frequent moves between duty stations and school systems. Key benefits focus on student well-being, quality instruction, and stability.

If the project delivers as planned, it should:

• Increase capacity and reduce overcrowding risk as missions grow
• Provide up-to-date STEM labs, arts spaces, and flexible classrooms for modern instruction.
• Improve safety and security through updated site design and secure entryways.
• Offer healthier learning conditions with better air quality, natural light, and efficient systems.
• Give students daily exposure to real-world sustainability and STEAM concepts through the building’s energy and environmental dashboards.

For base leadership, the project also signals a long-term commitment to the installation: upgraded infrastructure that supports both the mission and the families who live there every day.

Suggested reads:

• 15 of the Best Grand Forks AFB Things to Do
• Smart Shopping Tips For Military Families on a Budget
• Childcare Shortages Force Military Spouses Out of Jobs