Search
Close this search box.

Okaloosa School District unveils plans for new two-story K-8 school in Crestview

The Okaloosa County School District has unveiled plans for a new 1,200-student K-8 school in Crestview, aiming to alleviate overcrowding in the area’s elementary and middle schools. “This is exciting because it has been 16 years since we have built a new school from scratch,” said Dr. Bill Smith, program director for facilities planning. “I […]

Crestview's new K-8 school

The Okaloosa County School District has unveiled plans for a new 1,200-student K-8 school in Crestview, aiming to alleviate overcrowding in the area’s elementary and middle schools.

  • The school board approved the project as part of a $175 million bond issuance during their July 22 meeting. The new school, set to open in August 2026, will be the district’s first new school construction in 16 years.

“This is exciting because it has been 16 years since we have built a new school from scratch,” said Dr. Bill Smith, program director for facilities planning. “I think you’re going to be very happy with the building.”

The new facility will be constructed on 49 acres of an 80-acre parcel recently acquired by the district. Located west of the new Crestview bypass, the site is approximately halfway between the current Arena Road and the railroad tracks, which was just south of Highway 90.

Superintendent Marcus Chambers explained the strategic importance of the new school:

  • “With the K-8 school, we’re now able to impact the vast majority of the elementaries in the Crestview area, the two middle schools in the Crestview area, all those schools are over capacity. This is going to provide capacity because we’ll have to rezone students who will go to the new K-8 school. And then as that happens, more capacity will be developed at the current schools.”
Crestview’s new K-8 school site plan
Crestview’s new K-8 school floor plan

The school’s design includes several modern features:

  • Two-story classroom wings
  • Gymnasium with PE/Athletic locker rooms
  • Band and chorus rooms
  • Media/Innovation center
  • CTE/Science/Art wing
  • Cafeteria designed as an Enhanced Hurricane Protection Area (EHPA) Emergency Shelter

The school will feature a curved parent pickup and drop-off area on the north side, with bus pickup on the south side. A frontage road will run the full length of the property, allowing for future expansion.

A notable feature of the interior is the common area or atrium. Smith described it as “a foyer or atrium as you go up those stairs. They will go into the classroom wings, which you see through the window.” Chambers emphasized the multi-purpose nature of this space: “It’s not just the means to get upstairs. It’s also a place that can also be utilized instructionally.”

  • The site will also include athletic fields, playgrounds, and ample parking. A traffic study has determined that a traffic signal will be needed at the school’s entrance on the new bypass.

Chambers noted that the 80-acre parcel allows for future expansion: “Strategically, we purchased this land so we had the ability to do two schools on this when the need arises. So when the need arises, we would build an elementary school on the remaining acreage and then the current school would then be transformed, specifically, into middle school.”

The new K-8 school is part of a larger initiative to address growth in Okaloosa County. Along with additions to Destin Elementary and Baker School, it represents a significant investment in the district’s infrastructure.

3 Responses

  1. Again, outstanding growth management! A non-started project has already been determined to need a traffic light, delaying traffic, on a non-completed bypass route. Truly overloads the mind!

  2. Highschool is finna be more crowed now. We need another highschool not a middle or elementary school.

    1. the school district will not build one because it will create more problems and violence in are school district if we get another high school

Join the conversation...

Continue reading 👇

Community Comments

“We moved to Florida to our retirement home in Niceville in 1991. It was at Crestview Nursery, when we met Sheila as a sales person. As time progressed she assisted...”
Respond
“Sandestin's Raven hosted The Boeing Championship - PGA Champions Tour - 2006-2207 after moving from The Moor's in Milton EdEich@msn.com”
Respond
“I think this is a great idea - unique property with waterfront, adjacent to LJP, on 98 - and built with bed tax dollars to draw more vacationers. Sounds like...”
Respond
“I’m so sorry to hear about Sheila’s passing. We were friends a long time but had lost touch. She was so very smart and a really nice person. My condolences...”
Respond
“Praying firvofficer and his family”
Respond
“Wife and I were thinking of making an offer for the property. What a beautiful home site it would make”
Respond
“No, buying the ship was a great idea and will be a wonderful place to snorkeling, and scuba diving.”
Respond
“SPC beach bars have been successful for Decades. We have a large loyal and captive group! The Sand Flea family of restauranteurs have ways succeeded and will drawer other beach...”
Respond
“I agree with the idea of making it an event place. Whether for weddings or parties or businesses that want to hold lectures or meetings.Also a place for groups like...”
Respond
“I second that thought, please quit trying to make Fort Walton another Destin. And anything to do with that that 10 million dollar ship they bought to sink is ridiculous!”
Respond

GET OUR FREE LOCAL NEWSLETTER

Get the weekday email that actually makes reading local news enjoyable again.