While Elk Grove students might see planes flying overhead while in class, there’s a reason that they don’t hear them.

A $15.6 million grant was given to Elk Grove back in 2012 helped to soundproof the school from aircrafts passing over. This is largely because of noise pollution,, which is a large problem for communities that live around airports. This is an even bigger problem for schools within these communities with classes in session, as it can be a distraction for learning.

Today, most of the students didn’t even know about this grant.

Throughout the summer of 2012, according to the Daily Herald, Elk Grove “redid 71 classrooms, installed four miles of piping, replaced 80 percent of the roof and added air conditioning in the gym and cafeteria.”

The problem with having the fourth-busiest airport in the country is that there are a lot of planes coming in and out of the airport at every moment, creating a lot of sound problems. There is a high chance that at least once in your life you have been interrupted by a plane passing overhead in the Elk Grove area.

With the Second City so close to Elk Grove, it makes sense to have such a large international airport nearby as well. While the airport has been open for more than 70 years, it certainly is quieter than it used to be.

Every single day, there is an aircraft that flies over the school, whether it be landing or taking off, there is always a plane around. By now we don’t even realize it anymore and it has simply become white noise.