A new elementary school will be built on the Pine campus.  

Washoe County School District continues 2023 Facility Modernization Plan (FMP) work at middle school site in Reno.

At the September 8, 2026 meeting, the Washoe County School District Board of Trustees approved SMITHRIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL as the official name of the new elementary school.

The Washoe County School District Board of Trustees approved the closure of Pine Middle School after the 2025-2026 school year. A new pre-kindergarten through fifth grade school will be rebuilt on the campus. This is a 16-acre site with joint-use sports fields. The new elementary school on the Pine campus will include the upgrades and amenities associated with the district’s elementary school prototype following the Education Specifications. This campus was identified in the 2023 FMP as a site to be modernized and upgraded to a new elementary school to serve the community. The upgraded school building will include a “trade-up” scenario for students at nearby elementary schools.

Highlights:

• Among the first group of 2023 FMP projects to be approved.
• The middle school will close after the 2025-2026 school year with construction on the new elementary school scheduled to begin in fall 2026.
• A community meeting was held with the architect in Fall 2025 to gather feedback and input from families and staff during the conceptual design phase.
• The new elementary school will feature state-of-the-art teaching and learning spaces including collaborative learning spaces, a media center, a STEAM Lab, activity space, outdoor learning areas, and a secure single point of entry.
• Design work began in Fall 2025.
• The anticipated completion date is scheduled for fall 2028.