State representatives joined Maricopa officials to break ground of a new K-8 school in the city’s growing Sorrento neighborhood today. It is a project city and school leaders say reflects not only Maricopa’s rapid expansion but is also being talked about as a new vision for what public education should look like. 

Slated to open for the 2026-27 school year, the $39 million, estimated 90,000-square-foot campus will accommodate up to 1,000 students and is being funded through a combination of state grants, local bond support and tax funds. 

“Here, students will gain early exposure to careers through hands-on learning,” said Maricopa Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Tracey Lopeman. “Whether they’re programming robots like engineers, testing soil like scientists, or designing like architects, they’ll start to see how classroom learning connects to real life.” 

Elizabeth Allison, the school’s planning principal, this morning called the school “an inspiration for generations to come.” 

“Every blueprint and decision has been guided by a shared belief that our children deserve the very best,” Allison said. 

Design deets 

The Sorrento K-8 school has been carefully designed through a monthslong, community-led process involving educators, families and even students. That inclusive approach has yielded a campus that breaks from traditional school design and embraces what officials describe as a “learner-centric, career-connected” philosophy. 

“This project is a true reflection of community-driven innovation,” said Saravanan Bala of GHC Orcutt-Winslow, the Phoenix architecture firm behind the project. His team also designed Desert Sunrise High School. 

“From career literacy to immersive exploration spaces, we’re embedding real-world readiness into every corner of the design,” Bala said. 

According to updates Bala shared at an April 23 school board meeting, the new school will feature two main learning communities connected by a central hub for immersive career exploration. The K-8 will have an outdoor amphitheater, a re-imagined library called the “Learning Commons” and a cafeteria meant to encourage social-emotional learning.  

The school will also be designed to expand to include a preschool program, although only K-8 students will enroll on the very first day of classes. Classrooms will be adaptable for both kindergarten and preschool-aged children, with separate entrances and secure playgrounds built into the design. 

“Middle schoolers will have their own wing and a sense of promotion as they move to the second floor,” Bala explained to the board. “We’ve made sure every age group has a space that feels right-sized and engaging.” 

The two-story layout is intentional, maximizing space on the relatively compact site. Traffic concerns, a frequent issue for Maricopa families, are being addressed with more than 1,000 linear feet of queuing space for pickups and drop-offs. The new school will also have separate bus and car access points to reduce congestion. It was a design note that Lopeman addressed at today’s groundbreaking, to an audience made up of educators and community members. It was Lopeman’s biggest applause line at the event. 

“You talk, we listen,” said the superintendent with a smile. “It’s really more like you post, we listen.” 

Payin’ for it 

Dr. Lopeman noted that this is the first K-8 of its kind for the district and that it offers continuity and a sense of community at a time when the city’s growth demands more inclusive and adaptable educational spaces. 

“The state investment acknowledges what we see every day: Maricopa is growing,” said Lopeman. “The growth in Maricopa is ongoing, and we need facilities to support that, especially schools. Education facilities are probably the best sign of a thriving, forward-moving city.” 

Arizona state Rep. Teresa Martinez, Republican of Casa Grande, echoed that sentiment. 

“Once SR 347 gets widened, and it will happen, hell or high water, this city is going to double in size,” said Martinez. “Infrastructure is key, and I’m committed to pushing that through at the state level.” 

The groundbreaking comes as part of a larger wave of development across Maricopa. Mayor Nancy Smith estimated she’s been to eight groundbreakings this year alone.  

“This is really a symbol of the growth happening here,” said Smith. 

Lopeman left these parting words: “There’s something powerful about standing on land that will become a school.” 

“Soon, this space will be alive with students, building friendships, learning skills and shaping the future of our city,” she said. “Every community member who supported these efforts on election day helped move this project forward and for that, I thank you.” 

As for a name, it’s still in the works.  

“No name or list of names as of yet,” said MUSD spokesperson Montana Roberts. “Stay tuned!”