Marion County Public School officials will break ground on two new elementary schools this week that are both scheduled to open in time for the 2025-2026 school year.
On Thursday, March 21, MCPS will host separate ground-breaking ceremonies at both sites.
The first ground-breaking ceremony will occur at 9 a.m. at 14320 SW 70 Avenue Road, in the Marion Oaks community.
The second ground-breaking ceremony will take place at 10:30 a.m. at 7200 SW 49 Avenue Road in the Winding Oaks community.
The district says that both schools are being built in response to the “growing student populations” in southwest Marion County.
The schools have not yet been named, instead being referred to as “New Elementary School W” and “New Elementary School X,” by the district.
Each school will be comprised of one, two-story, concrete block building that features minimal entry points. Each building is 115,000 square feet and will feature 43 classrooms that will serve up to 860 students.
According to school officials, the budget for each school is $47 million, or $94 million for both.
Each facility will provide offices for administrative staff on the first floor and the media center will be located on the second floor.
Both schools are scheduled to open in August 2025, according to school officials.