Lakeville Schools Approved $136 Million in Upgrades. Here's What That Means for the South Metro.
On May 12, 2026, voters in the Lakeville Area School District approved a $136.6 million bond referendum to expand and renovate three middle schools. The projects will touch Century, Kenwood Trail, and McGuire middle schools, with construction set to begin in spring 2027 and finish in spring 2028.
For families considering a move to the south metro, this vote is worth understanding. It tells a specific story about where this community is headed.
What's Actually Being Built
The bond referendum funds classroom additions, new gymnasiums, updated cafeterias, STEM spaces, flexible learning areas, and specialized rooms for special education and performing arts at all three schools. McGuire Middle School, the district's oldest building, is receiving particular attention.
Currently, the band program rehearses in the cafeteria due to space constraints. Students at the end of the lunch line have roughly seven minutes to eat. Those aren't small inconveniences; they're signs of a district that has outgrown its own buildings. The 2026 referendum is designed to close that gap.
Lakeville Is One of Minnesota's Fastest-Growing Cities
The numbers behind this vote are significant. The Lakeville Area School District has added more than 1,200 students over the past decade, and middle school enrollment alone is expected to increase by 8% over the next five years. Superintendent Michael Baumann noted that the Lakeville area has added nearly 9,000 new homes in the past decade.
In 2025, Lakeville issued 487 new housing permits, ranking second in the entire state, behind only Rosemount and Woodbury, according to the Keystone Report. Elko New Market and Credit River, both served by this district, are also on active growth trajectories.
Why School Investment Matters for Homebuyers
School quality is consistently one of the top considerations for families evaluating where to buy. When a community invests in its schools at this scale, it signals long-term confidence in growth and quality of life. For buyers weighing Lakeville against other south metro options, this vote adds a meaningful data point.
For sellers, strong school systems support demand and help protect home values even in shifting market conditions.
The district also broke ground on Highview Elementary in recent years, a 100,000-square-foot building that opened in fall 2024. This middle school referendum continues that investment in infrastructure that keeps pace with a fast-growing population.
Thinking about buying or selling in the Twin Cities? Let's talk. Text Darin Bjerknes at 612-702-5126 or DM on Instagram @darintheminnesotan.
