And Then There Were 22

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."

and then there were

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

and then there were

2017 ASSEQUENDUM MAGNITUDO CUM HONORE

JONES

HIGH SCHOOL

Buena Vista High also offers the Alpha Academy for academically advanced students and the Viper Social Justice Academy.

It costs about $115 million each to design and build each school. Their construction was made possible by Orange County taxpayers and by impact fees from developers. Because OCPS schools use the same models, both high schools are arranged around a courtyard and have a three-story classroom building; media center; culinary labs; auditorium; gym; athletics amenities; and a greenhouse. The schools also feature the latest technology and improvements in the high school prototype.

One twist for Horizon High students is that they share space with younger students from Water Spring Middle for two years. This arrangement allows this community to serve students while the new middle school campus is under construction. Lake Nona Middle similarly started out on the campus of Lake Nona High.

Additional

OCPS Growth

The district’s newest elementary, Village Park, welcomed its new school family to campus with balloons, dragon mascot Nona, a selfie booth and school tours the week before school began. The school relieves Eagle Creek and Laureate Park elementary schools, and features the latest classroom technology and a bright, open layout with extensive natural lighting and energysaving features.

The only replacement school of 2021, Silver Pines Academy K-12 Learning Center brings the students from the former Gateway and Cherokee schools under one roof on a property shared with Magnolia School. With separate campuses for K-5 and 6-12 students connected by an administrative area, Silver Pines offers vocational training, behavioral specialists and other student supports in a small, nurturing environment.