- January 25, 2026
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School District of Manatee County Board Member Cindy Spray said the Jan. 21 groundbreaking for the new AAA High School in Lakewood Ranch was testament to the board's "unwavering commitment to the families of Manatee County.
The 85-acre site is located adjacent to the Premier Sports Campus and will serve Lakewood Ranch and beyond.
“Every decision we make is rooted in supporting student achievement, strengthening opportunities, and preparing our young people for a bright future,” Spray said.
AAA High School, which has yet to be named by the district, was approved on Aug. 26 and is scheduled to open to grades nine and 10 in August 2027. It will host up to 1,070 students and will provide those students with athletics and arts facilities. The budget for building the new school is $144 million.
The building itself follows the same model as Parrish Community High School, which was designed by Schenkel Schultz and built by Gilbane Building Company. The school opened in 2019.
“Your presence reflects the shared commitment that has brought this project to life,” Superintendent Laurie Breslin said to those assembled during the ceremony. “A groundbreaking like this is the perfect example of the power of collaboration. It shows what we accomplish when local government, district leadership, educators, industry partners and residents come together with one goal — creating exceptional learning opportunities for our students.”
Richard Tatem, the school board’s vice chair and District 5 representative, said the new school was needed to serve Lakewood Ranch and he is glad the district responded.
David Wildes is the project director for the School District of Manatee County. He wants to ensure the school is of good quality.
“The big picture is that we're building something that's going to serve the community for generations and it needs to be built to last,” Wildes said.
Lorraine Lakes’ Amanda Roe said she is zoned for the new high school once it opens. She has four children — seventh grader Rylie who attends R. Dan Nolan Middle School and fifth grader Lexi, third grader Jace and first grader Skylar who all attend Lake Manatee K-8.
If the current timeline is accurate, that means Rylie will be a freshman when AAA High School opens. Roe said she has heard about people being concerned with traffic as it is located across from Premier, but she is not worried.
“We have a daughter (Lexi) who plays soccer right there (at Premier) and we live right there,” Roe said. “It's a great spot for (a high school) and a good community feel to have everything located there."
School Board Member Chad Choate said he is excited the board chose a high school that will offer all the amenities for a "classic high school experience," including sport facilities and an auditorium.
“It goes back to what Chair Spray said, which was the community spoke,” Choate said. “The community was like, ‘Hey, we want all those things for our students.”
Choate emphasized it is important for the school to have its own athletics field even though it is right across from Premiere.
“I have to say, much like Kevin Costner, this is truly a field of dreams — a place where dreams are nurtured, where possibilities take shape and where the futures of our students will be built through the inspiration and guidance of our remarkable educators,” Breslin said.
