HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — FOX54 was at the groundbreaking ceremony for Journey Middle School back in March of 2021.
Now, in January of 2023, the almost completed Journey Middle school, a school that speaks volumes to the number of people moving to this area, sits at 170,000 square feet and has cost 47 million dollars to complete.
"We've been averaging for about the last six years, 300 new students a year. And so the two middle schools that we've had, Discovery and Liberty have reached their maximum, they're at 99%. So this will give us not only some flexibility as far as a thousand or more students in all three of these eventually, but also will allow us to do some remodeling of those facilities that we haven't been able to do because we needed every space in the school," said Madison City Schools Superintendent, Dr. Ed Nichols.
April of this year is when Nicholes expects Journey Middle School to be completed. Students will be able to tour the middle school before next school year... but before they get to do that, they get to meet their new principal, Treva Stewart.
"This is my first year being a principal," said Future Principal of Journey Middle School, Treva Stewart. "I taught for about eight years in Metro-Nashville Public Schools. I was assistant principal at Cambridge High School for a few years in Nashville, and then I moved back home to Alabama, where I was over the academy and alternative school for a few years. Then I was the assistant principal at Liberty Middle School, and now I am at Journey Middle School."
Continuing her career in education, in the same place where she received her primary education, is super special to her.
"It's amazing. When I grew up in this area, Madison City was not Madison City, it was Madison County. So it's just wonderful to be able to see that area blossom as it has blossomed. And see so many kids actually be able to have the opportunity to enjoy a third middle school in Madison City schools," said Stewart.
Not only that but she's been an integral part of bringing what were once visions of Journey Middle School... to life!
"I've been blessed to be a part of the process, with designing the school and picking out the colors and the furniture and all of that. So it's been an awesome experience, one that I probably couldn't even put a price on. It has been priceless," said Stewart.