PERRY, Ga. — Matt Arthur Elementary School is one of Houston County’s most-populated schools. That population mirrors Houston County's growth.
As the 12th largest school district in Georgia, Houston County schools are growing again.
"We're over 30,000 students and the Matt Arthur attendance zone is a growing attendance zone," Superintendent Mark Scott said.
Matt Arthur Elementary School is the largest elementary school in Houston County. 20 years ago, it had a little over 700 students -- now, it's nearly 900.
As city leaders break ground on a new school site, Superintendent Mark Scott says it’s a big step.
"Really looking at the size of our other schools, the standard size for an elementary school in the state of Georgia is 450, and so 900 is a pretty large elementary school, “Scott said.
The Pre-K through second grades of Matt Arthur Elementary will break off to fill the primary school. The 103,000 square foot school will come with 58 classrooms, a gym, media center and cafeteria.
Perry's Mayor Randall Walker was there for support.
"Right here on this site, we have 500 houses that are going to be built right next to the school, so you could see crowding issues if we didn't continue building," the mayor said.
When Matt Arthur Elementary School was built in 1999, Houston County's population was about 113,000 today, just under 170,000, a pace Walker says he doesn't see slowing soon.
"Perry is growing at the same rate we've seen over the last four or five years. We're doing everything we can do to provide the quality of life that the people experience here today," Walker shared.
The $30 million project is set to be open in Perry by August 2024.
That school will be paid for with E-SPLOST funds.