Cedar Lane Alternative School has a new look.

For the first time in, well, ever, the Niles school has a sign of its own in the front yard.

Teachers and faculty said they hope the sign brings more attention to the school and, as a result, more students.

Students, on the other hand, are glad to have gained more of an identity.

“Before I started here, I didn’t even know it was here. I didn’t know this was a school,” said junior Dakota Nixon, who helped build the sign. “Everybody would drive past it, but they don’t know what Cedar Lane is. Now they know because it says Cedar Lane Alternative School. I think it’s pretty cool.”

The sign was created by about a half-dozen Cedar Lane students, teachers and two volunteers from the Circle C Ranch in Benton Harbor. Students received art credit, woodworking skills and a boost of pride.

“The kids are really excited about it,” math teacher Tara Carlsen said. “For years to come, they are going to drive by and say ‘I built that.’ And that’s a really cool thing for them.”

The sign was installed Thursday and dedicated Monday. It was built using funds raised through school functions.

Carlsen said it has been a long time coming.

“Cedar Lane has been here since 1990, and we’ve never had anything out front,” Carlsen said. “We’ve talked for years about doing something, getting something out there. It is nice to see it finally happen.”

Cedar Lane is located at 2301 Niles-Buchanan Rd., near U.S. 31.