Stillwater Public Schools Break Ground on New High School

Categories: National School News

Conceptual image showcasing the construction site of the new high school at Stillwater Public Schools, aimed at enhancing educational facilities.

News Summary

Stillwater Public Schools has commenced construction on a new high school designed to accommodate a growing student body. Set to welcome 9th graders for the 2024-2025 school year, the facility will centralize coursework and enhance student experiences. With plans to increase enrollment capacity and include a performing arts wing, this development aligns with the district’s vision for long-term growth and student success.

Stillwater – Stillwater Public Schools is currently undertaking the first year of construction for a new high school, which will officially welcome 9th graders starting in the 2024-2025 school year. This strategic move is part of an effort to enhance the educational experience and to better accommodate a growing student population as enrollment continues to increase.

The newly planned high school will serve as a comprehensive student center, designed to facilitate gatherings and meetings with college recruiters, providing students with valuable opportunities to prepare for higher education. The upcoming facility will also allow for more centralized high school coursework, enhancing the social experience for students by maintaining all freshman classes in one location.

Currently, the existing high school caters to grades 10-12 and has approximately 1,700 students enrolled. With the completion of the new school, that capacity will increase to house up to 1,960 students, which will help to better prepare them for exams and concurrent enrollment options, as well as other off-campus academic activities. The design also anticipates future growth with expanded class sizes integrated into the architectural plans.

For the 2023-2024 academic year, 9th grade will serve as the last year categorized as junior high. The transitional grade structure for this year will consist of Pre-K through 5th grade in elementary school, grades 6-7 in middle school, 8th grade in junior high, and 9th through 12th in high school. In the final education configuration planned, elementary will encompass Pre-K through 4th grade, middle school will include grades 5-6, junior high will consist of 7-8, and high school will cover grades 9-12.

Superintendent Tyler Bridges has expressed a commitment to integrating the 9th grade into the high school, which is indicative of the district’s long-term growth vision. Historical data suggests that approximately 50% of summer school attendees were 9th graders in need of credits to meet graduation requirements, signaling the demand for a more targeted curriculum and a dedicated team of educators for this age group.

The anticipated completion of the new academic buildings is set for fall 2026, aligning with the start of the new school year. This timeline also marks when construction for additional extracurricular spaces is expected to begin shortly after the new academic buildings are finished. Assistant Superintendent of Operations Bo Gamble has noted that the construction progress is advancing more quickly than initially expected.

As part of the new school’s facilities, a 36,240 square foot performing arts wing will be included, in addition to additional classroom spaces. This development is approximately ten years ahead of schedule from the original construction plan. To incorporate the new high school, the current high school facility will be demolished by fall 2026, as renovating the existing building is projected to exceed $30 million; however, demolition is estimated to cost around $1.5 million.

This initiative to build a new high school is aligned with the district’s mission of fostering growth and ensuring student success, as emphasized by the district officials involved in the planning and execution of these future educational facilities.