- Okeechobee High School opens a new 250,000-square-foot building for the 2026 school year.
- The $107 million facility was funded entirely by federal COVID-19 relief dollars.
- All ninth through twelfth grade students will share one campus for the first time.
Okeechobee High School is welcoming students into a brand-new $107 million building this school year, replacing a campus that dates back to the 1960s. The 250,000-square-foot facility can hold up to 1,700 students and brings all high school grades together under one roof for the first time in the district’s history.
Okeechobee County School District Superintendent Dylan Tedders gave a tour of the new building in late July, walking through its classrooms, labs, and gathering spaces. The project was paid for entirely with federal COVID-19 relief funding, with no local tax dollars used for construction.
A Campus Built for Modern Learning
The new building includes 85 classrooms and replaces the aging structure that had served students for more than six decades. Previously, freshmen attended a separate campus. Now, all students in grades nine through twelve will learn in the same building.
Tedders highlighted the size of the shared spaces as a major upgrade. The gymnasium can seat 1,900 people, and the auditorium holds 500 seats, enough to accommodate an entire graduating class at once.
The science labs drew particular attention during the tour. Each lab is equipped with gas lines and water access, making them suitable for chemistry courses and even dual enrollment classes offered in partnership with local colleges.
Flexible Spaces and School Spirit Built Into the Design
The building also features flexible learning areas designed to encourage collaboration. Walls are coated with dry-erase material so students can write and brainstorm directly on them. Varied furniture options allow teachers to arrange spaces to fit different learning styles.
School spirit is woven into the design as well. The Okeechobee Brahman’s school colors line the hallways, and images of the mascot are displayed throughout the building.
Community Celebration Planned for Later This School Year
The Okeechobee County School District says the community response to the new building has been overwhelmingly positive. Officials are planning a public open house event at the midpoint of the school year, once the parking lot construction is complete.
The new campus represents a significant investment in Okeechobee County‘s educational future. Students and staff began using the building at the start of the 2026 school year.
