Mississippi State, Starkville district break ground on innovative high school

Mississippi State University and the Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District are partnering on a new high school located on the university’s campus. The project is the first in the nation to house all 9th through 12th grade students from a single district on a college campus, according to district officials.

University President Mark Keenum described the partnership as creating new opportunities for students. “The new Starkville High School will be a true asset and resource for not only our community, but a model for innovative teaching, learning, discovery and career and technical education for school districts around the state and across the country,” Keenum said.

Superintendent Tony McGee called it a new era for area students. “This new high school provides our boys and girls with a new opportunity beyond what you find in a traditional high school because it is partnered with a major university,” McGee said.

The district and university signed a memorandum of understanding on September 25, 2025. Funding for the project includes a $101 million general obligation bond approved by the district school board in May and a $4 million allocation from the Legislature.

The 227,000-square-foot campus is scheduled to open in summer 2028. It will include classrooms with lab spaces, a cafeteria with outdoor patio, a 900-seat performing arts center, gymnasiums, band and choral rooms, a library, woodshop, photography darkroom, sculpting and kiln area, and outdoor sports facilities. Construction is being completed in phases, starting with site preparation in April.

Future phases, beginning this July and April 2027, will focus on building academic spaces, arts and athletic facilities. The campus will be located near Mississippi State’s main campus to facilitate dual enrollment and expanded learning opportunities. The Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning approved the school’s exterior design in June. The project aims to set a national standard for innovative high school education on college campuses.

Source: Original Article