History was made at the U.S. Army’s Yuma Proving Ground(YPG) in Yuma, AZ. Dignitaries, including Army staff, parents, students and school officials, were on hand for the groundbreaking of the new, $10 Million Pfc. James D. Price Elementary School building.
At the groundbreaking held on May 19, 2026, various dignitaries, school leaders and military personnel gathered to ceremonially begin construction of the new facility amid a round of applause and cheers.
“It’s been a long time coming,” said Col. John Nelson, YPG Commander, in a statement released to Military.com. “Even the previous commander was working hard with the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation to bring us to this point.”
According to the federal government, there are more than 160 public and charter schools located on military installations across the United States, plus more than 100 Department of Defense Education Activity schools serving military children internationally.
Since the late 1950s, Pfc. James D. Price Elementary School has educated thousands of students of military parents from kindergarten through fifth grade. The school is named in honor of James D. Price, a soldier killed in the line of duty at YPG in 1954. Currently, the school has only about 72 students enrolled, with a student-teacher ratio of roughly 10 to one.
Serving Students Through Smaller Classrooms
The school’s new principal for the 2025/26 school year, Alexandria Johnson, says the new building will serve students even better than the old one.”One of the most unique and special aspects of our school is its small size, from the number of students in each class to the overall staff and student population,” said Johnson, in remarks she made in announcing her new role, and obtained by Military.com. “In our area, this creates a truly rare and valuable opportunity for both staff and families.” Commander Nelson agreed, adding that the new facility will maintain the small classroom configuration.
“I really think this school provides a great service to the community here at YPG because it is a smaller school and the teachers have smaller classrooms,” he said. “It’s almost like being at a private school. With our new school building, it is going to be great for Yuma, YPG, and for District #1.”
Located in the Howard Cantonment Area of YPG, the existing school has long shown its age. Among many shortfalls, the facility lacks a proper kitchen to prepare hot lunches for students, along with other school amenities considered standard in the modern day.
Another concern is the region’s annual monsoon season, which leaves the aging school vulnerable to damage and flooding, forcing school closures that affect families who often have to scramble for childcare.
“It’s a great thing for our community and the quality of life for the folks who live here,” said Nelson. “I’m very grateful because the older building is not going to withstand monsoon seasons any longer.”
Existing School Vulnerable to Monsoon Damage
Last September, the U.S. Department of Defense approved an $8 million grant for the Yuma Elementary School District to partially fund construction of a new building. Coincidentally, a seasonal monsoon damaged the existing school building after more than two inches of rain, and 60-mile-per-hour wind gusts hit the school over the course of about an hour.
“My hope is to create a sense of stability, support, and connection for them within our school community,” said Principal Johnson. “Along with my passion for education, I’m committed to building strong relationships with our families and community partners. Together, we can ensure all students feel seen, supported, and valued no matter where their journey takes them.”
The new facility will feature dedicated music and art classrooms, as well as a larger auditorium. The new facility will also have a dedicated science lab for students. In addition to being able to prepare hot lunches on site, the cafeteria will come equipped with an ice machine for students to use in Yuma’s extremely hot temperatures.
Principal Johnson says she’s excited about the difference the new facility will make for the student body.
“With fewer students, our staff is able to build meaningful relationships with students and their families more quickly, and the same is true in reverse,” she said. “Students get to know one another faster, creating a close-knit, supportive school community. This environment allows for stronger communication, deeper connections, and a greater sense of belonging for everyone involved.
The new facility is expected to be completed by May 2027.
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