Behind the walls: A look inside the new J.H. Lea K-8 school in Pender County

PENDER COUNTY, N.C. (WECT) - What began as an empty plot of dirt is now taking shape as a massive, 290,000-square-foot school off N.C. Highway 210.

Once complete, J.H. Lea will be one of the largest schools in the region, designed to accommodate roughly 2,300 students to meet the demand of the rapid growth in the area.

“Building J.H. Lea will significantly reduce the number of students on the East side, Highway 17 schools,” Dr. Brad Breedlove, Pender County Schools superintendent, said. “Our population is going to boom, we know that, that’s a fact.”

It has come a long way since officials broke ground on the project back in 2024.

“To now being able to see the walls, see the coloring of the floors and the walls, the amazing amount of work, it’s mind-blowing,” Breedlove said.

It is still an active site there, but WECT did get a look at the progress.

The project manager, Ben Brisson, says the school is nearly 290,000 square feet, which compares to about five football fields.

“Your average school is 115,000 to 150,000[square feet],” said Brisson. “It’s very rewarding. I’ve been in the construction business for over 30 years and this project has been very smooth.”

In addition to this $140 million project, Breedlove says planned renovations at Topsail Middle School to convert it into a high school will alleviate overcapacity issues at the high school level.

As crews work ahead of schedule toward an anticipated August 2027 opening, district officials are already finalizing attendance zones and bus routes.

“Some superintendents never get to do something like this. Having the luxury of opening an amazing school is a lifetime achievement,” said Breedlove. “The future looks bright for Pender County Schools.”