Orange County Public Schools has announced ambitious plans to invest $45 million in constructing a brand-new facility for the Orlando Gifted Academy campus. This significant project aims to create a state-of-the-art learning environment for gifted students in the region, but it has also sparked concerns among local residents regarding potential traffic increases in the neighborhood.
The proposed facility is designed to be approximately 100,000 square feet and accommodate up to 700 students from second through eighth grade. The plans highlight modern educational features, including dedicated outdoor learning areas and cutting-edge technology integration throughout the school. Moreover, the expanded Orlando Gifted Academy is set to incorporate skills labs and resources to support career and technical education, preparing students for future pathways.
However, the prospect of a larger student body at Orlando Gifted Academy has raised apprehension among residents living near the school. Melanie Osborn, a neighbor residing directly across from the campus, voiced concerns about the existing traffic congestion. “It can be really, really busy,” Osborn stated, emphasizing the challenges already faced during school drop-off and pick-up times. She further noted that not all drivers exercise caution in the residential area, exacerbating the issue.
Multiple neighbors have echoed Osborn’s sentiments, reporting that traffic often backs up extensively around the neighborhood during peak hours. This congestion sometimes becomes so severe that it obstructs residents’ driveways, as Osborn recounted, “(My boyfriend) literally can not get home because cars are blocking the driveway.” Another point of concern for residents is the limited use of school buses by Orlando Gifted Academy students, contributing to the high volume of individual car trips to and from the school.
While acknowledging the importance of quality education for gifted students, Osborn suggested exploring alternative solutions to mitigate traffic impact. “Obviously, I want to see these students get a great education,” she said. “But at the same time, I wish there could be something we could get some sort of public transportation.”
Preliminary plans for the expansion do address traffic considerations by including dedicated parking areas and a parent loop designed to streamline drop-off and pick-up processes. As the project moves forward, the school district will likely need to engage with the community to further address these traffic concerns and ensure the successful integration of the expanded Orlando Gifted Academy into the surrounding neighborhood.
