MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. — Leaders with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools are excited to finally see the fruits of their labor with the grand opening of Ballantyne Ridge High School this fall.
It’s been two years since the district broke ground for Ballantyne Ridge High School and now they’re just days away from opening the doors.
“I can’t wait for the kids to walk in and be in awe of what they see,” Ballantyne Ridge Principal, Michael Miliote, told WCNC Charlotte's Anna King.
With 100 classrooms and 25 students per class, project leaders say this $159 million project will have a huge impact on the area.
“I think we’re also going to see new families that have maybe not been CMS families prior because of this new facility,” Dennis LaCaria, Executive Director and Facilities Manager for CMS, explained.
LaCaria said the big idea was to get a handle on the overcrowding at other high schools but added the school didn’t go up without a few hiccups.
“We’ve got one practice field instead of two, we have a four-story classroom, which is something we don’t do typically. But that’s what we had to do to work with the tight space here,” LaCaria shared.
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Right now, they’re adding the finishing touches to the sports facilities, classrooms, and a few common areas. The school is also currently fully staffed with 130 employees – all prepped for that first bell on Aug. 26.
“I think when that bell rings at 7:15 a.m. and everyone is in their seat, I’m just going to take a deep sigh of relief ... but at 2:15 p.m., I think it’s going to be a moment I’ll remember for a long time,” Miliote said.
Historically, the district has never moved a senior class. So, this fall there will only be freshmen, sophomore, and junior classes.
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