MADISON, Ala. (WHNT) — Madison City Schools is the fastest-growing school system in the state, making one thing a crucial need: expansion.
The school system is breaking ground Tuesday morning on its eighth elementary school, making that nearly 15 schools in the system.
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Russell Branch Elementary School will be in Limestone County off Madison BR Boulevard and Portmore Road. The name of the school is temporary but is used for reference due to the area where it’s being built.
Superintendent Dr. Ed Nichols said 27% of the district’s student body lives in Limestone County, and its rapid growth also calls for the expansion. Nichols noted Russell Branch Elementary School will help families in the area to be closer to an elementary school, and ease overcrowding at existing elementary schools in the system.
Nichols added that some programs, like STEM and the arts, haven’t had the chance to fully flourish amidst the overcrowding. But, the expansion could call for rezoning.
“If you look at where our elementary schools are, they’re all crunched together,” Nichols said. “Pretty much, east of County Line Road. So now we will have one west of County Line Road. So we can kind of move our lines around and do a better job of zoning.”
Nichols adds that while rezoning will happen soon, school officials are not sure yet if students can be grandfathered into their current school.
The construction is planned for completion on Aug. 1, 2026.
