Terri Norlander just happened to be on the Internet when an invitation to tour the new East Ridge High School plopped into her mailbox. Her son is set to attend the school when it opens next September as a member of its first graduating class, and her daughter will be in the school's first freshman class, so Norlander responded immediately.

She and more than a hundred other people -- within two hours. So many people, in fact, the school had to schedule three additional tours for community members who are eager to see inside the expansive, $80 million facility being built along a sloping hillside at the edge of Woodbury.

"There is a lot of community interest in the new school," Norlander said, "even from people who aren't going to be coming here."

Indeed. The chambers of commerce of both Woodbury and Cottage Grove have scheduled a tour, and so have a host of other school teachers, custodians and bus drivers who won't be working at the school next year. The barbecue that school officials threw for incoming students and their families in mid-August drew 500 people; they had expected a much smaller turnout because of summer vacations and other commitments.

"It's definitely a conversation piece," said Kevin Schmidt, a member of Woodbury's Chamber of Commerce who toured the building with about 25 others from the local business community. "A lot of people are excited to see it go up."

They're all interested at least in part because of the huge investment the community has made in the facility, it's striking visage cropped between the city to the north and corn fields to the south, and the novelty of the technology and community partnerships it promises. There is a lot to see. The school's 380,000 square feet is three times the size of a typical Target store.

Star Tribune, Star Tribune
East Ridge HIgh School staff and community members got a view of what will be a lounge for surfing the internet and a coffee shop.

The South Washington County School District, which hasn't built another new high school since 1975, also is making a concerted effort to build and maintain public support and enthusiasm for the school.

"East Ridge High School is a community and not a school for one city, and that's unique," said Principal Aaron Harper. From inside a construction trailer at the far edge of the school's parking lot, Harper is marshaling the programs and procedures that will combine students from five municipalities -- Woodbury, Cottage Grove, Afton, Newport and Denmark Township.

He and assistant principal Matt Kraft have ushered more than 10 groups of 30 or more people through the building -- a shell on the outside, but still a dusty, cold and dark collection of cinderblock and wall board on the inside.

Hanging on a wall are prototypes of the school's letterman jackets with the East Ridge Raptors logo -- black and gold -- that Harper shows to all visitors. "When you create a new school, you have to create a new identity," Harper says, "or you won't be able to create a culture."

When school officials take groups such as the one Norlander attended, they make sure to point out the light-filled atrium that comprises the cafeteria, and the nearly football-field-sized gymnasium that will hold five full basketball courts. And when they take teachers and staff through the facility, they spend a longer time showing off the new gadgets classrooms will have.

"I like that there will be sunlight coming through the windows, so we can see outside," said Jared Manning, a sophomore at Woodbury High School who will attend East Ridge next year.

Principal Harper says construction is on schedule for opening the school to its 1,100 students at the beginning of year's fall term. He knocks on wood every time he says that.

Gregory A. Patterson • 651-298-1546