page_title: Plaza Towers Elementary School
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Plaza Towers Elementary School / History
caption_attribution_description: English: Oklahoma National Guard Soldiers and Airmen respond to a devastating tornado that ripped through Moore, Okla., May 20, 2013
context_page_description: Plaza Towers Elementary School is a public elementary school in Moore, Oklahoma, in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. It is a part of Moore Public Schools. Plaza Towers is located in southwest Moore within a neighborhood of the same name. The school's mascot is the panther, named "Paws". The school's current building opened in 2014 after the previous facility was destroyed by the 2013 Moore tornado; seven students at the school died as a result of the tornado's impact.
context_section_description: The school first opened in 1966. After it opened, Plaza Towers became ranked among the highest two elementary schools in the district. As the school grew older, it became overcrowded and its demographics began to change with increasing numbers of disadvantaged students. The school received some additions as time passed. In 2006 a new building for second and third grade students was constructed. The 11,500-square-foot (1,070 m²) structure had eight classrooms. This standalone building was built by a company headquartered in Norman, Barbour and Short Construction. In 2010 a newly-opened elementary school took many of the wealthiest children who previously attended Plaza Towers. Oak Ridge Elementary School took areas formerly zoned to Plaza Towers.
caption: Over a dozen emergency workers comb through the rubble of Plaza Towers Elementary School.
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