RICHMOND HILL, Ga. () — It’s the first day of school and for students in Richmond Hill, that also comes with a fresh start in a brand-new building. After years of planning and construction, Bryan County opened its doors early this morning to a brand-new high school.

The facility is already making headlines not just for its size, but for what it means to the future of education in the area.

With nearly 2,800 students walking into their first day of school on Wednesday, the new building is a big step forward for the Bryan County School District. The region has seen student enrollment grow by nearly 70 percent since 2012.

This is the first new high school built in Bryan County since the early 1990s. The campus here includes cutting-edge classrooms, a collegiate-style lecture hall, specialized career technical and agricultural education career space, a 1,250-seat auditorium, and a fully equipped dance studio – just to start.

Students will also have access to a film studio, a professional-grade culinary arts kitchen, and even a dedicated Esports lab. The athletic facilities are also top-tier, featuring a 10,000-seat stadium and modern training areas for every sport.

In 2024, Richmond Hill earned the University of Georgia Director’s Cup for having graduates with the highest first-year GPAs, an achievement school leaders believe will only continue to grow in this new environment.

The first day activities started early this morning! At 6:15, there was a senior sunrise event at the brand-new stadium for seniors to kick off their final year with their families.