Change is coming to Southwest Middle School (2815 Eden Pkwy.). Following a groundbreaking ceremony held yesterday, Sept. 15, construction has started on an all-new campus. Curious what the new digs will look like? Straughn Trout Architects shared renderings of the modern developments.
The goal of the $55-million Southwest Middle School Campus Modernization master plan is to update the entire school, which was founded in 1956. Over 900 students are currently enrolled each year — after construction finishes, that number will increase 30% to around 1,170 students.
A new two-story building totaling more than 175,000 sqft will be built on the north side of the current campus. Plans for the structure include:
- Administrative offices
- Classrooms + laboratories
- Media center
- Fine arts suite
- Combined cafeteria + auditorium
- Outdoor dining space
In addition to these features, there will also be a new bus loop, lit fields, and a new parent pick-up + drop-off location. Is it normal to be jealous of middle schoolers?
Students are attending class as normal in the original buildings, and the project will not interrupt campus operations. The school will transition into the new buildings upon completion and most of the older structures will be demolished, barring the original physical education facility, gym, and science building.
The Southwest Middle School Campus Modernization project is being funded by impact fees + Polk County’s half-cent sales tax. According to Straughn Trout, this new development is estimated to be completed in 2023.
