Manatee Schools Approve Full-Scale High School for Lakewood Ranch
The School District of Manatee County is moving forward with the construction of a new high school in Lakewood Ranch, currently referred to as High School AAA, located at Rangeland Parkway and Post Boulevard.
After weighing the possibility of building a collegiate-style campus with limited athletics and arts programs, the district opted to pursue a traditional high school with full facilities. The decision followed community input in favor of a comprehensive campus offering the full range of academic, athletic, and extracurricular opportunities.
The project is modeled after Parrish Community High School and will be built in two phases. The first phase is expected to open in August 2027 with two academic buildings, full arts and athletic facilities, and capacity for 2,000 students. The total estimated cost is $200 million for a 265,000-square-foot campus.
Future expansion could include a third academic building, providing space for 500 additional students at a cost of $15 to $20 million.
The school district selected Schenkel Shultz Architecture and Gilbane Building Company, the same design and construction team behind Parrish Community High School, to handle the project. Final architectural plans are expected by mid-September, with groundbreaking projected for early November.
The Manatee County School Board will take its next formal step on August 26, when members are scheduled to vote on the preconstruction guaranteed maximum price. The vote is seen mainly as a procedural formality.
Once complete, High School AAA will serve as a full-service campus for the growing Lakewood Ranch community, reflecting the district’s commitment to providing a high-quality, comprehensive public education experience.
