HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – The plans for a new combined high school in Hopkinsville are solidified with an official groundbreaking happening Sept. 15.
“The new high school marks a crucial step towards having all our students on a single campus, with access to all academic core classes, career and technical education/Gateway classes and college prep classes in a state-of-the-art facility,” Superintendent Chris Bentzel said in a news release.
The new school will combine the existing Hopkinsville High School, and Christian County High. The new school will inherit the Christian County High School name. But it will inherit the Hopkinsville High mascot: The Tigers.
Construction will begin in a week, and the school is set to be open to students in the fall of 2026.
When news of the new school broke, it was initially implied that construction would begin sooner rather than later. But the superintendent has clarified that the 2023 school year will not be a “farewell year” for the existing schools, and they have opted to take their time with construction. “Our priority is to cultivate excitement and unity among our students, staff, and parents as we prepare for the new high school. What’s best for our students remains our unwavering focus,” Bentzel said.
The school system credits taking advantage of lower interest rates, grants, and financial savings for covering the expenses of the new building. And while they understand that traditions run deep in the Hopkinsville community, they have the students’ best interest in mind with the new school, Bentzel said.