ONSLOW COUNTY, N.C. — A new school is under construction in Onslow County.

The school district has faced overcrowding in recent years as military families move to the area.

“The benefit of the military for Onslow County is that it’s kept us growing. The bad side of that is that we’ve got to keep building schools. It’s a good problem to have,” Onslow County Schools Chief Communications Officer Brent Anderson said.

Dixon Elementary School is built to hold 650 students. Currently there are 1,131 students.

In 2017 its fifth grade class was moved to a different school to keep it from reaching 1,300 students.

There are 23 mobile classrooms on campus to ensure an 18:1 student-teacher ratio.

As a more permanent solution the district is clearing property at 307 Folkstone Rd. in Holly Ridge. 

“Anytime a new school is built it’s a wonderful thing for students, for staff, for families. It will absolutely help us out with scheduling, with parking, things like that,” Dixon Elementary School Assistant Principal  Dr. Corinne Edwards said.

The new school will hold more than 800 students. It will cost $32 million.

Doors are set to open in August 2021.

In the meantime the district is asking for the public’s help in naming the school.

You can vote on a name here.