For the first time, in their new building off West Chestnut Street in Virginia, all the Marquette Catholic School grades are back together again.

You may remember the 5th through 8th graders enjoyed last year there.

Now, on Tuesday, the younger grades joined them. There are now over 200 students and about 30 staff enjoying the building.

“Today was a day we were really looking forward to,” shared Jacob Rosandich, assistant principal. “The older kids love to see the younger kids.”

The space used to be for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota.

Marquette leaders knew they were outgrowing their original space, and thanks to community efforts, were able to raise money for this new spot.

Naomi Ringhand, a member of the Faith Formation Team, was able to help welcome in the kids on Tuesday.

“There was a student last year, who talked about how school felt like home, and it felt like family. That’s something that’s really stuck with me, this place that’s prepared for them. Where they’re welcome, and they can feel loved. There’s something that changes in us, and it changes the kind of person that we are, the way that we act, the way we live, and that blesses the whole community,” Ringhand said.

Volunteers made this move possible, even packing up the playground equipment from the original school site.

There’s also a new small private prayer chapel, in addition to the mass chapel.