District begins construction on new high school in Lakewood Ranch. See the plans
Construction has begun on Manatee County’s eighth high school, which aims to address growth in the Lakewood Ranch area.
On Wednesday, the district broke ground on “AAA High School,” located on 85 acres of land near Premier Sports Campus, with a $144 million construction budget. The school is expected to open at the southwest intersection of Rangeland Parkway and Post Boulevard in August 2027.
The school’s opening will coincide with the district’s new high school attendance zone maps, as the district is in the process of rezoning all of its schools in a phased approach.
Manatee County commissioners approved the final plans for the new high school in November despite concerns about traffic safety near the school.
According to the district, the new school will be a “modified reuse” of Parrish Community High School’s design, and the construction of two campus buildings will be delayed for a future expansion.
But, there will be some features that will make AAA High School stand out. It will be the district’s first high school with collegiate-style lecture halls, and will include state-of-the-art turf field and rubber track, among other sports facilities.
“This project is a testament to the School Board’s unwavering commitment to the families of Manatee County. Every decision we make is rooted in supporting student achievement, strengthening opportunity and preparing our young people for bright futures,” School Board Chair Cindy Spray said in a statement.
The new high school does not have a name yet, but district officials plan to start community input in the coming months with the goal to finalize the name this spring.
This story was originally published January 23, 2026 at 5:50 AM.
