Peoria's New $38 Million Wilder-Waite School Aims to Ease Overcrowding

The larger, modern building will eventually double enrollment and add key facilities.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 9:43am

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a school backpack repeated in a tight grid pattern, utilizing flat, vibrant neon colors and heavy black outlines to transform an everyday educational item into a bold, abstract pop art composition.The new $38 million Wilder-Waite Grade School campus in Peoria will provide much-needed space and modern amenities to support local students and families.Peoria Today

Construction is officially underway on a new $38 million Wilder-Waite Grade School campus in far north Peoria, aimed at easing overcrowding in the Dunlap school district. The larger, modern building will eventually double enrollment, add air conditioning, therapy and counseling spaces, and is slated to open for the 2027–2028 school year.

Why it matters

The new Wilder-Waite school is a significant investment in Peoria's educational infrastructure, addressing overcrowding issues and providing students with improved facilities and resources. This project reflects the community's commitment to supporting quality education and meeting the evolving needs of local families.

The details

The new Wilder-Waite Grade School campus will be a $38 million project, featuring a larger and more modern building compared to the current facility. The expanded school will be able to accommodate double the current enrollment, offering air conditioning, therapy and counseling spaces, and other key amenities. Construction is underway, with the goal of opening the new school for the 2027-2028 academic year.

  • Construction on the new $38 million Wilder-Waite Grade School campus officially began in 2026.
  • The new school is slated to open for the 2027-2028 school year.

The players

Dunlap School District

The school district that oversees Wilder-Waite Grade School and is addressing overcrowding issues with the new campus project.

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What’s next

The new Wilder-Waite Grade School is expected to open for the 2027-2028 school year, providing much-needed relief for overcrowding in the Dunlap school district.

The takeaway

The $38 million investment in the new Wilder-Waite Grade School demonstrates Peoria's commitment to improving educational facilities and resources for local families. The expanded campus will help address overcrowding issues and deliver modern amenities to support student learning and wellbeing.