Groundbreaking Held for New East Wing at Irmo High School
Irmo, SC – Lexington-Richland School District Five held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new East Wing at Irmo High School
The three-story $45 million wing will have over 60 classrooms, multiple administrative offices, and a tech-savvy media center and library. Principal of Irmo High, Dr. Kaaren Hampton, says groundbreaking on the new 120,000 square foot site is about more than just dirt and cranes, it’s about laying the foundation of a brighter and more promising future for students.
“Our students are super excited about this new addition. We actually included them in the very beginning planning stages to determine what they wanted so there are a couple of features that were actually student led and student focused. So we’re really excited to have those come to fruition and come to life so students can participate in those spaces,” Hampton says.
Those spaces will include a social area and courtyard near the cafeteria. According to Hampton, the new wing came about, not because of any overcrowding, but because of the current facility’s age.
“Our students are filled with creativity and innovation, and wanting to see different things. Being college and career ready means a whole other thing than it did back in like the children say, the 1900’s. So bringing it to an era where they understand is really exciting,” she says.
Superintendent Dr. Akil Ross says money could have been spent to rehab the existing building, but it wasn’t able to be brought into code.
“We’re honoring an employee, Tim Whipple, who is the longest serving employee in our school district of 44 years. And he said 44 years ago that we were laying a foundation. So the cornerstone of this new building will be that phrase that he gave to his team, laying a foundation. But also, from that moment on, he’s talked about how the tradition continues. So yes this is a new building, this is new construction, but this is the same tradition of Irmo High School that’s existed for over 90 years,” Ross says.
Construction on the new East Wing is expected to be complete in the Spring of 2026 with students beginning to occupy the space that August.
