SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – A dedication ceremony for the new DeBerry-Swan Elementary school was held Thursday morning.

The new state-of-the-art $95 million DeBerry-Swan school opened its doors to students last week. The school is now home to students who formerly attended DeBerry School and Homer Street School. The schools will continue to work separately but share this new building.

The new DeBerry-Swan Elementary School honors Springfield native Reverend William DeBerry, a civil rights leader and founder of the Dunbar Community Center, and retired State Representative Benjamin Swan, also a civil rights icon.

“It’s probably one of the highlights of my life. It pleases me greatly because I know that it will benefit so many individual youngsters,” said former Rep. Swan.

“To have a Taj Mahal like this is added value, added incentive and the kids look forward to coming to school, a state of the art school. So I’m very very happy for our students,” said Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno.

The former Homer Street School was built in 1898 and the DeBerry School was built in 1951, so this modern building is seen as a massive improvement.