The school district brought out the oversized scissors and a dark blue ribbon for the grand opening and ribbon-cutting on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, right beneath a huge “WP” flag. Staff, city leaders, state representatives, and the construction team gathered to mark the occasion. Superintendent Terry Connor spoke about the excitement he already feels growing around campus and gave a nod to Principal Mark Grossenbacher, who’s been working relentlessly to get every detail ready.

This isn’t just any school building. Wellen Park High rises three stories and sprawls across 325,000 square feet at 10801 Manasota Beach Road, claiming 81 acres in North Port. It’s the first high school built here since 1999, and only the third since the fifties.

Assistant Principal Josh Grant gave tours, showing off features that set this school apart. There’s a gym that seats over 3,000, a 1,000-seat auditorium, specialized classrooms equipped for film production (complete with green screen), a construction and engineering lab, multiple chemistry labs, and a football stadium that holds almost 6,000 fans. 

The academic programs cover a lot of ground: a Cambridge magnet track, robust STEM labs, performing arts, and junior ROTC. Students interested in animals can get hands-on in the veterinary and agriculture programs, which include chickens, small animals, and a goat named Ricardo.

Inside, every hallway focuses on a single subject, and the main hall feels more like a college student lounge, with comfy seating, tables, and a campus buzz. Security runs on a SmartPass system with remotely controlled doors, and students won’t have to look far to find a coffee shop or grab a snack from modern vending machines.

The school expects about 1,200 students in its first year, mostly from Wellen Park, North Port, Venice, and some from Englewood, though there’s room for over 2,000. Only 80 or 90 seniors will be part of the founding class. Most chose to finish at their original schools, but Grant says the school has something special planned for those who stick it out. Principal Grossenbacher, who opened North Port High School over two decades ago, has a personal connection: many of these students remember him ringing them out at elementary graduation, and now he’ll do it again as they finish high school.

School at Wellen Park High and across the county starts August 10. For families with questions, check out the district’s website sarasotacountyschools.net/o/wellenpark for details.

Another school option is arriving soon, too. In August 2026, Imagine School at North Port opens its new $50 million campus on East Price Boulevard, a major upgrade that unites the charter’s upper and lower campuses for the first time since launching in 2008.

Big changes are coming. The new facility stretches across nearly 140,000 square feet and sits on 20 acres by Glenbrooke Boulevard, almost tripling capacity to 1,500 students. Compare that to the 1,177 students split between the old Toledo Blade locations, just a couple of miles away. By July, the building’s exterior was complete, and crews had already erected the football field’s goalposts. Local workers continue roadwork, but the school’s debut is scheduled for August 10, 2026.

The campus itself is impressive: a two-story elementary wing for grades K-5, a separate three-story section for grades 6-12, two gyms, two cafeterias, artificial turf athletic field, running track, a playground, and a long car line for efficient drop-off and pickup.

There’s a ribbon-cutting celebration planned for September 25, and enrollment is open now through the Imagine Schools website or by phone.

The school’s leaders are proud of the journey from breaking ground in October 2025 to now, and they’re focused on the future. Board President Mark Pedro said at the groundbreaking event: “This is the future. We’re on a tight schedule and can’t wait to open.”

Imagine School at North Port joins 13 other charter schools in Sarasota County, serving about 16% of public-school students. The school holds a state “A” rating and offers dual enrollment with State College of Florida, along with career and technical education programs. The Imagine Schools network runs 54 campuses around the country, educating roughly 32,000 students.

Big year ahead for North Port families with these two new schools, things are changing in a big way.

Click here for more information about Sarasota County Public Schools.

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