OCPS plans to open 7 relief schools in West Orange in the next 5 years

Pending final approval of the capital budget, Orange County Public Schools plans to open 16 relief schools in the next five years, to keep up with the growth of up to 5,000 students each year. 

Seven of these schools are located in the West Orange-side of the county. Development in West Orange has caused schools to be overcrowded, particularly in the Horizon West area, so these schools will bring relief to schools currently in the area. 

West Orange residents are probably already aware of Bay Lake Elementary, opening in the Horizon West area in 2016; the West Orange relief high school, opening in 2017; and a relief elementary school coming to MetroWest in 2017. 

Because of the growth of the Horizon West area, more schools are planned to open within the next five years. This includes a middle school opening in 2019 in the Horizon West and Lakeside Village area, to relieve overcrowded middle schools such as Bridgewater Middle School; an elementary opening in 2019 in the Crowne Pointe and Weston Bay area of Ocoee; an elementary school opening in 2019 in the Horizon West and Lakeside Village South area; and an elementary school opening in 2020 in the Horizon West and Village F South area. 

The Orange County School Board discussed these schools and the capital budget at a workshop on May 17. 

The schools will be financed primarily by impact fees, which the county recently agreed to raise. A small portion will be funded by the capital improvement tax. 

Frangus Elementary School, Maxey Elementary School and Oak Hill Elementary School are also among 18 schools slated for replacement or comprehensive renovations and will be under construction or in design during the 2017 Fiscal Year.

Before final approval, the Orange County School Board plans to hold on July 26 and September 13 public hearings on the capital budget.

Contact Jennifer Nesslar at [email protected].