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District 4 adds two high schools For the first time since 2009, OCPS has opened two new high schools at one time, increasing the number of traditional high schools in the district to 22. Horizon and Lake Buena Vista high schools add about 5,500 seats to our capacity. It was a labor of love for both school principals, who each spent a year preparing for the opening, including shepherding the naming and branding processes for the schools, hiring staff and partnering with Facilities and the Construction teams to get each campus ready to welcome students and families. "It’s been the most wonderful, fulfilling and exhausting experience of my career," said Laura Beusse, Horizon High principal and a 39-year educator (pictured above). "To see the school come to life with teachers and students makes it all worth it."
12 | Orange Peal
Lake Buena Vista High Principal Guy Swenson (inset) said the first day of school was a "great day. A year of planning has come to life." "More students than I can count have sought me out to tell me how nice their teachers are and how they feel so respected by the adults and their peers," said Swenson, a 25-year educator who previously led Olympia High. "My dream has been to create a school where everyone feels welcomed and seen. To hear students say that so soon has warmed my heart to no end." Both schools opened with just freshmen, sophomores and juniors and have room to grow. Seniors remained at their original zoned high schools. They also are located in the southwest part of the county, needed to relieve overcrowding and growth. Horizon relieves Windermere High, and Lake Buena Vista relieves Dr. Phillips and Freedom high schools. Both schools offer their students the opportunity to earn Cambridge advanced diplomas. Lake
