There is going to be a new elementary in The Ranches, and although it doesn't have a name, it has a home -- or two.

The school will be built at 8042 North and 8112 North on Cedar Drive in The Ranches. Money for the new school was included in the bond voters approved last year.

The school board approved the location during its meeting on Tuesday night.

Alpine School District will close on the lots later this week, said Rob Smith, an assistant superintendent and business administrator for the district.

There are two existing homes on the lots just off Pony Express Parkway, but the district hopes to save one of them from demolition. The district negotiated with the homeowners to buy the lots for $675,000 and $875,000, he said.

"We're excited to get started," Smith said.

First, though, Eagle Mountain will have to approve the district's plans.

The school will have one of the district's three floor plans, and be completed by the 2008-09 school year. It will be built one year ahead of schedule, due to the growing number of students in the area.

Pony Express Elementary in Eagle Mountain already has more than 1,000 students. Harvest Elementary in neighboring Saratoga Springs had 900 students during its first year.

"There are a record number of building permits in this area," Smith said.

Brooke Barker can be reached at 344-2559 or bbarker@heraldextra.com.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page C1.