Orange County Public Schools to pause new construction amid enrollment decline
After a decade marked by rapid expansion, Orange County Public Schools is hitting the brakes on building new campuses, a move driven by a notable dip in student enrollment projections.
OCPS has opened nearly 30 schools over the past 10 years to keep pace with Central Florida’s booming population. But now, district leaders say that growth is slowing, and so is the demand for new schools.
“We have some declining enrollment projections,” said Rory Salimbene, OCPS chief facilities officer. “That reduces the need for new schools. We don’t foresee a need for a new school after the ones that open in 2026 until 2030.”
According to the district, enrollment is expected to drop by more than 3,000 students next year. One major factor: Florida’s expanded school voucher program, which is shifting thousands of families toward private and home-schooling options.
“This has been the case for a few years,” Salimbene said. “As we look out 10 years, we’re projecting fewer schools than what we’ve had in the past. But we still have a very robust renovation program, we’re as busy as we’ve ever been.”
OCPS leaders emphasized that the pause in construction is not tied to funding challenges.
“This is based upon the need for the new schools. It has nothing to do with funding,” Salimbene added. “We have great support and we’re very appreciative of the support we get from Orange County taxpayers.”
The final three campuses currently in the pipeline include Luminary Elementary, set to open this August in Lake Nona, and two additional schools expected in 2026. No new campuses are planned until at least 2030.
Despite the slowdown, OCPS says it remains focused on long-term planning, especially in rapidly developing areas such as Lake Nona and Horizon West.