Ground breaks on Humphreys East Elementary School

The Department of Defense Education Activity, in partnership with U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Far East District, and the Korea Ministry of National Defense – Defense Installations Agency held a groundbreaking ceremony for Humphreys East Elementary School on Sept. 7, 2023.

“This $52-million project is a promise to carry forward the legacy of our nation’s defenders – the children of active-duty service members and command sponsored Department of Defense civilians,” said Brig. Gen. Sean Crockett, Eighth U.S. Army commanding general for operations and keynote speaker at the ceremony.

The K-5 school will accommodate up to 440 military-connected students, with the ability to expand up to a capacity of 600 students. The project includes an outdoor learning lab and classroom, a sensory garden, multipurpose athletic field and a nature walking path. 

“Oftentimes, school is one of the first places families find connection and community upon arrival to an overseas duty assignment,” said Dr. Jacob Sherwood, DoDEA Pacific West District Superintendent. “Within the walls of the school we are officially breaking ground on today, friendships will be formed. Skills will be built. Academics will be learned. And for decades to come, parents, staff, and the Humphreys community will come together to support our youngest military-connected children in this facility.”

The construction contract for Humphreys East Elementary School was awarded to Ilsong Construction Co., headquartered in Seoul, with USACE providing construction management oversight of the project. 

“We at the Far East District don’t accomplish anything in isolation,” said Col. Heather Levy, commander and district engineer of the Far East District. “We rely on our counterparts at MND-DIA to work side by side to ensure safety, quality, and adherence to the schedule and cost controls. We work with the garrison and DoDEA to ensure we know exactly what the students and staff will need at the schools.”

The Sept. 7 groundbreaking ceremony marked the start of construction for Humphreys East Elementary School, which will continue until completion in spring 2026.

“The addition of Humphreys East Elementary School is a major milestone in Humphreys’ continual transformation,” said Col. Ryan K. Workman, USAG Humphreys garrison commander. “A lot of hard work has gone into making this happen, and we are proud to break ground on this important project, which will further enhance education for our children.”

DoDEA plans, directs, coordinates, and manages Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade education programs for school-aged children of Department of Defense personnel who would otherwise not have access to a high-quality public education. DoDEA schools are located in Europe, the Pacific, Western Asia, the Middle East, Cuba, the United States, Guam, and Puerto Rico. DoDEA also provides support and resources to Local Educational Activities throughout the U.S. that serve children of military families.

The Public Affairs Offices of U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Far East District contributed to this news release.

Representatives from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Far East District, Ministry of National Defense - Defense Installation Agency (MND-DIA), Eighth Army, U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys and the Department of Defense Education Activity to break ground on a new elementary school for the installation on Sept. 7, 2023. The facility will be the third elementary and fifth school on the installation.

From left: Madison Smith, student; Hannah Synder, student; Dr. Jacob Sherwood, DoDEA Pacific West Superintendent; Col. Lee, Inchul, MND-DIA USFK Program Director; Brig. Gen. Sean Crockett, Deputy Commanding General - Operations, Eighth Army; Col. Ryan Workman, USAG Humphreys commander; Col. Heather Levy, USACE FED commander; Heidi Vivertte, student; and Noelle Wish, student.

(U.S. Army photo by Rachel Napolitan)