Big education news is taking shape in Horizon West—Windermere Preparatory School is exploring a new elementary campus in the Hamlin area, and while it’s still early in the process, there’s a lot for the community to keep an eye on.
📍 What’s Being Proposed
The school is currently in the early planning stages of expanding with a new K–5 campus proposed for:
- 15765 New Independence Parkway
- Approximately 13.69 acres
- Designed for up to 880 students
The concept includes a two-story school building, sports fields, and a campus layout built around student experience first—with classroom “pods” and outdoor garden learning spaces.
This expansion is largely driven by demand—the current campus is at full capacity, prompting the need for additional space in the growing Horizon West community.
🧠 A Different Kind of Learning Environment
The school operates under the Nord Anglia Education model, emphasizing a global mindset and collaborative learning.
The proposed campus reflects that with:
- Pod-style classroom clusters
- Integrated indoor-outdoor learning environments
- Covered walkways and gathering spaces, including an “origami-style” entrance
🚗 Traffic & Access: A Major Focus
Traffic is front and center in this proposal—and understandably so.
Plans currently include:
- On-site vehicle queuing to avoid road backups
- A northern entrance off Lake Walk Drive for buffering
- A west-side circulation loop for smoother flow
- Staggered pickup/drop-off times by grade level
Projected traffic: 430–600 daily round trips
The goal is to safely handle peak times while maintaining nearby pedestrian connections and overall accessibility.
🏛️ Where Things Stand
The project is in the technical review phase with Orange County Government Florida.
Next steps:
- Staff review completion
- Development Review Committee (DRC) review (not public)
- Recommendation issued
- Board of County Commissioners (BCC) public hearing for waiver requests
📬 Notices will be mailed to nearby property owners ahead of any public hearing.
⚖️ Key Community Questions
At the recent meeting at Bridgewater Middle School, residents raised thoughtful concerns:
- Will traffic mitigation plans be enough?
- Was this site intended for another school?
- How will this impact walkability and bikeability?
- What are the tax implications and land lease structure?
- How does tuition align with the local community?
These conversations are ongoing and will continue shaping the proposal.
📣 How to Get More Information & Get Involved
If you want to stay informed—or have input—this is the time to engage while the project is still early in the process.
Reach out directly:
- District 1 County Commissioner
Nicole Wilson
[email protected] - Project Manager (Orange County)
Mike Rosso
[email protected]
You can:
- Ask questions or share concerns
- Request updates on hearing dates
- Stay informed on when public input opportunities open
What to Watch
This is not a final approval yet, but it’s a significant proposal for Horizon West.
With growth continuing across Hamlin, projects like this highlight the balance between:
- Expanding educational options
- Managing infrastructure and traffic
- Preserving the community feel residents value
We’ll be keeping a close eye on how this develops .
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