Part of the original elementary school was replaced in 2016 with a new facility featuring the first public tsunami refuge to be constructed in the United States, located atop the gym, 53 feet (16 m) above sea level.

[2] On April 23, 2013, a $13.8 million bond issue was approved by 70 percent of voters to fund the construction of a new elementary school with modern features, including a tsunami shelter.

[2][8] The gymnasium's interior includes historic photographs of the region and finishes resembling beach glass, sea grass, cranberry bogs and a compass rose furnished by local artisans.

[11] To provide for vertical evacuation instead, the school's tsunami shelter is located on the roof of the gym, elevated 53 feet (16 m) above sea level to withstand surges that would follow such an earthquake.

The gym is accessible via four staircases, including one from the outside, designed to be wide for quicker evacuation and built with 14-inch (360 mm) thick concrete and steel rebar.