A shiny, new building greeted students returning to Cannon Road Elementary on Tuesday, Jan. 4. The school is one of three new facilities in Montgomery County--Garrett Park Elementary and Seven Locks Elementary also debuted new buildings.

The school's previous building was torn down in late 2010 and replaced with an 83,277-square foot construction. MCPS chose Gaithersburg-based HESS Construction + Engineering Services to lead the project, which cost about $18.5 million. 

The new building houses 456 students and the current enrollment of the school is 395 students, according to a release from the school system. 

Students spent the past three semesters in a temporary building on Old Columbia Pike. 

“These projects represent a tremendous commitment from our citizens to provide spaces where our students can learn, grow and thrive,” said Shirley Brandman, president of the Montgomery County Board of Education.