The Manatee County School Board has closed on the 30-acre parcel to build the future North River Ranch Middle School serving North River Ranch and the surrounding area. The new North River Ranch middle school will be located within the community on North River Ranch Trail, off Fort Hamer Road.The School Board announced construction of the new middle school is scheduled to begin this month and is projected to be completed in July 2025, for the 2025/2026 school year. North River Ranch is the award-winning, master-planned community of local land developer Neal Land & Neighborhoods. The new prototype middle school is designed to be a state-of-the-art learning environment providing classrooms, labs, a gymnasium, a cafeteria, and a music department. Outdoor features include playfields, basketball courts, a covered play area and open spaces. Neal Land & Neighborhoods contributed $450,000 to provide the school with additional funding to enhance the school's programs, curriculum, special ad hoc awareness and education opportunities.With the elementary school, high school and future State College of Florida campus located within walking distance of the new home community, North River Ranch will provide convenient proximity to schools from kindergarten to high school and up. In addition to an educational hub, North River Ranch is undergoing the development of the wellness-focused Village Center offering access to medical services, fitness, and natural spaces that reflect the active and healthy lifestyle of the community. HCA Florida plans to break ground on the new North River Ranch Emergency Center later this year.To learn more about North River Ranch, visit www.northriverranch.com. For more information on Neal Land & Neighborhoods, including the company’s latest development news, visit www.NealLand.com.