Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Florida Retirement Community to Expand K–8, High Schools

  • By Matt Jones
  • 07/09/24

The Villages in Central Florida, one of the largest retirement communities in the nation, recently announced the expansion of The Villages Charter School to include new facilities for its high school, K–8 school, and Early Learning Center, according to a news release. The schools serve children of residents who work at various businesses within the community. The community is partnering with Matern Professional Engineering for the project’s mechanical, electrical, and plumbing services, the news release reports.


Photo courtesy of Wharton Smith

Upgrades to the high school will include a four-story media tower; a sports complex; theater; and specialized classrooms for computer science, fine arts, business, and engineering, the news release reports, for a total of 383,961 square feet. The K­–8 school will cover 247,946 square feet and include distinct spaces for elementary-aged and middle-school-aged students. The sports complex will feature facilities for football, basketball, swimming, and more.

“We are excited to contribute to a project that will provide unparalleled educational facilities for this community,” said Tad Rivenbark, Director of the Matern Construction Administration Department. “Our team is focused on delivering innovative engineering solutions that meet the highest standards of quality and sustainability. This project is a testament to our commitment to excellence and our dedication to supporting the communities we serve.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • S4L Announces 2026 Education Design Showcase Winners

    Spaces4Learning is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2026 Education Design Showcase! Now in its 27th year, the annual awards program honors innovative solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction across K–12 and higher education.

  • Washington State District Breaks Ground on New Elementary School

    Cheney School District No. 360 in Spokane County, Wash., recently announced that construction has begun on a new elementary school, according to local news. The district held a groundbreaking ceremony on May 18 in Airway Heights for the yet-to-be-named school, which is scheduled to open in fall 2027.

  • University of Kansas Breaks Ground on Entrepreneurship Hub

    The University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kan., recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new KU Entrepreneurship Hub, according to university news. The Hub is part of the university’s School of Business and will include spaces for experiential learning and programming.

  • USC Launches Major AI Initiative After $200M Gift

    The University of Southern California in Los Angeles, Calif., recently announced that it has launched a “transformational” new AI initiative thanks to a $200M gift, according to a news release. The project will leverage AI toward breakthroughs and innovations in subjects like the health sciences, business, security, and the arts.