In a sort of homecoming for a Durham school, Lakewood Montessori Middle School occupies about 53,000 square feet in the Lakewood YMCA building - which was constructed on the former site of Lakewood Elementary School after accumulated snow collapsed the school's roof in March 1960. The school opened in 2010, using space in the George Watts Elementary School building for its first year before renovation was finished at the Y in time to accommodate about 300 students for the 2011-12 school year. Lakewood Montessori's home resulted from an arrangment by Durham Public Schools, Durham County and the Triangle YMCA to finance the Lakewood Y's makeover and ongoing operation after the facility faced closing due to low use by Y members.