Just in time for the new school year, the new Capitol Middle School opens to students with the first day of school, August 9th.  “It is truly a new beginning for the students and the community,” said Capitol Middle School Principal Katie Blunschi.
     With a budget of nearly $13 million, the new Capitol Middle is the fourth of four new schools built since 1998 with funds generated from the collection of the voter approved, one-cent sales tax dedicated to improving public education in East Baton Rouge Parish.  “This new school would not be here if not for the citizens of East Baton Rouge Parish,” Blunschi said.  “It is not only our school, but everyone’s.  We want this facility to become the cornerstone of this area.” 

     The new Capitol Middle is located at 5100 Greenwell Springs Road near South Foster Drive and replaces the Old Capitol Middle School on Gus Young Avenue.  The new school is a 115,000 square foot facility with a student capacity of 850, grades 6-8.  It has 47 classrooms, a media center, a state-of-the-art computer lab, a radio and TV broadcasting lab, a gymnasium with 1,000 seat moveable bleachers, football/soccer and baseball/softball athletic fields, exceptional student services facilities, and band and choral classrooms. 

     “The students are really excited about the lab spaces and the teachers are planning some really incredible experiences for the students in them,” Blunschi said.  “The staff is excited to begin the school year at the new facility, and we’re excited for the children too,” Blunschi said.  “The students are proud of their new school and can’t wait to start classes there,” she added.  “The anticipation of getting into the new facility is growing with every day that goes by.”

     But the East Baton Rouge School System isn’t saying goodbye to the old Capitol Middle School just yet.  The old Capitol Middle School will accommodate the students from McKinley Middle Magnet until construction of the new McKinley Middle Magnet is complete.  Construction of the new McKinley Middle Magnet School is expected to take 18 months.  Upon completion, the students will return to the brand new McKinley Middle Magnet campus and the old Capitol Middle School will then be demolished to make room for the construction of a new elementary school.