What a new high school means for a growing Osceola County school district
By Mark Lehman
With a population boom happening in St. Cloud, the Osceola County School District is looking forward to a new high school that will serve thousands of students.
Construction for the unnamed “AAA high school” on Nova Road has been underway for months, but officials will hold a ceremonial groundbreaking on Friday.
Dave Sharma, who is the district’s chief facilities officer, said the new campus will tackle overcrowding in other high schools while also meeting the needs of several newly constructed neighborhoods in the area.
With a population boom happening in St. Cloud, the Osceola County School District is looking forward to a new high school that will serve thousands of students.
Construction for the unnamed “AAA high school” on Nova Road has been underway for months, but officials will hold a ceremonial groundbreaking on Friday.
Dave Sharma, who is the district’s chief facilities officer, said the new campus will tackle overcrowding in other high schools while also meeting the needs of several newly constructed neighborhoods in the area.
The new school project has a $184 million construction budget that’s being funded through county impact fees.
Osceola County opened two new K-8 schools in 2024, but this will be the first high school the district has built since Tohopekaliga High School opened in 2018.
Gian Lombardi, who lives in the neighborhood across from where construction is happening, said he’s looking forward to having a high school nearby.
“St. Cloud is developing a lot. It’s evolving and there’s a lot of people coming in,” Lombardi said. “I think it’s a good idea to have it in this location.”
Friday’s groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. at 5800 Nova Road.
Mark Lehman
Mark Lehman became a News 6 reporter in July 2014, but he's been a Central Florida journalist and part of the News 6 team for much longer. While most people are fast asleep in their bed, Mark starts his day overnight by searching for news on the streets of Central Florida.