Manatee County School District is working to stay ahead of the growing number of students enrolling in schools.

  • Manatee to build new schools due to student growth in county
  • New middle school being built in Lakewood Ranch 
  • Several other schools getting new wings to accomodate students

A new middle school is being built in Lakewood Ranch and the school district also plans to open a new high school and a new elementary school in Parrish.

“There’s definitely growth here, and people are coming here because there’s a lot to offer. It’s a pretty, pretty community,” Nancy Novak, a parent, said.

With more people making their way to the east side of Manatee County, means more schools are needed.

A new middle school will be located along 44th Avenue East.

“Getting another school in the area will definitely make the classes smaller and more enjoyable. And it’ll give you a more personal relationship with the teachers too,” Student Nick Novak said.

School Superintendent Doctor Diana Greene said the push for a new middle school in Lakewood Ranch has a lot to do with the need to offer school choice.

“One of the priorities of our school district is to allow parents to choose the schools in which they want their children to attend, but because of capacity issues, many of those middle schools are closed to choice,” Greene said.

The new middle school, plus a magnet program that will be moved to recently closed Harllee Middle, is aimed at making space in already packed classrooms.

“It’ll take a little load off of all the other schools. That pressure off the other schools, they’re staying on top of it and I really commend them for it,” Nancy Novak said.

Four of the area’s elementary schools are getting new wings, including B.D. Gullet Elementary, which is right next door to the new middle school.

Lakewood Ranch High will also be adding an addition to their campus. When it’s all done, they’ll be able to accommodate an additional 200 students.

The additions to existing schools are expected to be completed within a year or two and the new middle school is set to open in 2019.

“This year we had to purchase 23 portables to put on a number of campuses,” Greene said.

Impact fees and the half cent sales tax referendum are funding the new school.