BY ABBEY CRANK
FOR THE OBSERVER
OPELIKA — Opelika City Schools Superintendent Dr. Kevin Davis presented a plan to build a $140 million middle school to the Opelika City Council on April 7, aiming to address its growing student enrollment.
“It’s not hard to see that we are growing really rapidly here in Lee County, especially in Opelika, because it’s a great place to live,” Davis said.
Since 2020, Opelika City Schools’ student body has grown 10%. Right now, there are 5,300 students enrolled with the number rapidly expanding. The student body is estimated to be 7,500 by 2036.
Last year, Opelika City Schools was one of 16 districts in the entire state to not see a decrease in student enrollment.
“Now, if we’re already out of room, and we don’t have any additional room in our schools, where do we put 500 [new] students in five years,” he said. “Where do we put 1,000 new students in 10 years?”
While a long-term solution will take years to achieve, plans are being set in motion.
Davis stated he was currently working with architects and engineers from TURNERBATSON, the same Birmingham-based group that designed Fox Run School.
The new three-story middle school will be located on a 38-acre plot across from the Opelika Sportsplex.
The school is expected to span 262,000 square feet and include 102 classrooms, making it one of the largest middle schools in the state. This will provide enough room to house 1,800 students — 600 per grade level.
“I think this would sustain our growth for many many years down the road,” Davis said.
Davis explained it would take around three years to complete.
In the meantime, the building expansion of Fox Run School will begin on May 4.
This $29.5 million expansion will add 7,100 square feet, 30 classrooms and a gymnasium. It will also broaden the school’s cafeteria and media center. Construction will last 14 to 15 months.
As the project progresses, classroom locations will shift. No changes will occur this academic year or in the 2026-27 academic year.
“We want to build this school, and we want to build it right,” Davis said. “We want to build it for the innovation of our students for years to come.”
Opelika City Council President George Allen invited Davis to return and discuss the proposal as it develops.
