LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A Louisville school in the Avondale Melbourne Heights neighborhood that's dedicated to teaching children with learning disabilities is expanding. 

The $4 million project to upgrade and expand the Meredith-Dunn School will officially break ground later this fall, but some students took part in a ceremonial groundbreaking Friday morning.

Meredith-Dunn School leaders said they’ve specialized in teaching students with learning challenges like dyslexia and attention deficit disorder since 1971. The school's enrollment has continued to grow over the years, necessitating the purchase of nearby homes and commercial spaces to convert into classrooms. 

The planned expansion will provide much needed space. It will also include a new main entryway, which will make for a safer campus. It will also place the cafeteria, classroom and library areas all under one roof, and create new classroom spaces.

Students like 8th grader Lila Boblitt are excited about the expansion. 

"I would be really excited for art, because that is something I’ve always liked," she said, "but I think that every room counts as long as the kids like it."

Lila's dad, Tom Boblitt, who sits on the board for Meredith-Dunn School, said "the teachers at this school have been amazing, they're nurturing. They have all the tools necessary to get the kids to learn, and it's just been a perfect fit for us and our family."

School officials said enrollment increased by 14% in the past year alone, and the expansion will allow the school to accept more students currently on the waiting list.

The plan is for the expansion to be finished in time for the 2024-2025 school year. 

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