Reporters and community members are invited to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony of the new Holly Grove Middle School on Thursday, July 1 at 6 p.m. at 1401 Avent Ferry Road in Holly Springs. The ceremony will include student performances, a self-guided tour of the facility, and special remarks provided by Principal Ken Proulx, Interim Superintendent Donna Hargens, Wake County School Board Chair Ron Margiotta, Holly Springs Mayor Dick Sears and Wake County Board of Commissioners Chair Tony Gurley.

Holly Grove Middle School expects to welcome approximately 975 students for the 2010-11 school year. The first day of year-round school is July 9 for Tracks 1, 2, and 3.

This new middle school prototype was designed by Skinner Lamm & Highsmith Architects. The 197,071 square feet building is located on a 14.88 acre site adjacent to Holly Grove Elementary and Holly Springs High. The school was built as part of the Capital Improvement Program approved by voters in November 2006.

Please contact Holly Grove Middle School at (919) 567-4177 for event details.

Directions to school: Take US 1 South. Exit on NC 55 South. Remain on the NC 55 Bypass and turn right at the Avent Ferry Road stoplight. Holly Grove is about two miles on the left.