HAMPSTEAD, N.C. (WECT) – On Wednesday, Aug. 21, Pender County Schools held the groundbreaking for the new K-8 school, per the district.

The school, which has yet to be named, will house a little over 2,300 students and have 78 classrooms.

Pender County Chairman Brad George says the new school is a way to alleviate some of the overcrowding the eastern side of Pender County Schools is currently seeing.

“This will help relieve some of that stress, and teachers will be more focused on individual students instead of trying to teach the 35 or 40 students in the classroom. So this is a big deal for both overcrowding and educational value that it brings,” said George.

Superintendent Dr. Brad Breedlove says it’s also a testament to educational excellence.

“Today’s groundbreaking is a testament to our district’s commitment to providing exceptional educational facilities that meet the evolving needs of our community. The expanded capacity of this new K-8 school will ensure that our students have access to the resources and space they need to thrive academically and socially,” said Breedlove.

A significant redesign of the school approved back in May added another 24,000 square feet of classroom space with a second story.

The school is set to open to students in the fall of 2027.

George says people can expect more schools to be built in the future as the county continues to grow.

Copyright 2024 WECT. All rights reserved.