LEXINGTON, Ky. — Lexington leaders on Monday broke ground on an over $80 million middle school, the city’s first new school in nearly two decades. 

In nearly a year’s worth of planning and what its board of education says took over a dozen meetings to solidify, Fayette County Public Schools is bringing a brand new space for kids to learn and much more. 

“We’re always paving the way forward. We are always looking for ways to be innovative.” Brenda Cowan elementary principal Joshua Williams said. 

The new building gives students in the district access to career-focused opportunities and state-of-the-art features. The school’s goal is to put students in an energy efficient, modernized environment that will foster their skills.

It’s something Williams believes his students can look forward to in the new school.

“From the unique learning spaces to emphasis on art, and two great art spaces also with them, and maker spaces throughout the building it will provide a great learning environment for our students to grow up and thrive,” Williams said.

Located off Polo Club Boulevard and around the outer parts of the city, the site is near several future developments in the area, including two brand-new hospitals. 

Commerce Lexington’s Alan Stein said professionals can create a clear path to jobs and much more for these kids and the city. 

“It was not because we thought it was something that should be done, it was because we recognized [building the school] was an investment in making Lexington the great city it is and can be,” Stein said. “Developing workforce opportunities and development for all of those who will continue to live and work here is the key to what we as a community in the business world can do.”

Hoping to unite the future school with several elementary schools already surrounding Lexington, FCPS elementary school principals from Dixie, Yates, Liberty, Garrett Morgan and Brenda Cowan will plant a tree with soil from their schools.

This new school is scheduled to open by the fall of 2025.