Pensacola High School Principal Amy Gordon told the Escambia County School District board at a workshop that Pensacola High will add seventh- and eighth-grade cohorts on the high school campus beginning in the 2026–27 school year, with a target of 150 students per grade.

Gordon said the school has begun marketing and outreach for the program, including a postcard mailing to sixth graders at feeder elementary schools, billboards across the county, updated web and social-media pages, and two open houses — one scheduled for the night of the school choice expo and a second on Saturday, Nov. 1. The first open house at 5:30 p.m. at Pensacola High will include a tour, a teacher panel and a student panel.

The presentation outlined academic and extracurricular plans. Gordon said the program will offer orchestra, band, fine arts, photography and Air Force JROTC; advanced math classes may require some eighth-graders to take classes with high school students. She said school staff and district facilities planners are working on parking and a parent pick-up/drop-off plan on the school’s west side and have coordinated with media services on library circulation needs.

Board members pressed for details about student selection and safeguards. Gordon said the school is aiming for 150 seventh-graders and 150 eighth-graders and that while there are eligibility requirements, the school will be flexible to meet enrollment targets, admitting students whose attendance and behavior are satisfactory. Board members asked how athletics and extracurriculars would be handled; Gordon said athletics and some extracurriculars remained under discussion and had not been finalized.

Superintendent Leonard and several board members who visited the school described facility improvements and drainage fixes at Pensacola High, and praised staff for readiness to host middle school students. Board members asked that staff continue to provide updates on enrollment, safety, and how advanced coursework will be scheduled when high-school classes are involved.

The district will present further details in coming weeks and has scheduled public outreach events to invite parent questions and enrollment interest.