New Lockerman Middle School to Be Built on North Caroline High Campus

Caroline County Public Schools plans to open the new school in August 2029 to address overcrowding and safety concerns at the current Lockerman site.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Caroline County Public Schools is moving forward with plans to build a new Lockerman Middle School on the campus of North Caroline High School in Ridgely. The current Lockerman Middle School building, which dates back to the 1930s, has faced overcrowding, safety issues, and infrastructure challenges that can no longer be adequately addressed through renovations. The new school is expected to open in August 2029, pending funding approval.

Why it matters

The decision to build a new Lockerman Middle School reflects the district's efforts to provide modern educational facilities that can accommodate the growing student population in the northern part of Caroline County. The current Lockerman site's small footprint and traffic flow challenges have raised safety concerns, particularly during arrival and dismissal times. The new location on the North Caroline High campus aims to address these issues while also honoring the historical significance of the Lockerman name and legacy.

The details

Lockerman Middle School currently serves around 900 students on just 11 acres of land, well below the recommended 15-20 acres for a school of that size. The school's cramped layout and traffic flow problems have posed safety risks, with concerns about emergency vehicle access and the ability to efficiently manage student drop-off and pickup. Inside the building, the outdated "pod" classroom design and lack of modern science lab facilities no longer meet the needs of the current curriculum. While the district has made do through renovations and retrofitting, Superintendent Dr. Derek Simmons says the time has come for a new, purpose-built middle school facility.

  • In 2025, Caroline County Public Schools began extensive planning and community engagement for the new Lockerman Middle School project.
  • The new Lockerman Middle School is expected to open for students in August 2029, pending funding approval.

The players

Dr. Derek Simmons

The superintendent of Caroline County Public Schools, who has overseen the planning process for the new Lockerman Middle School.

Lockerman Alumni Association

The group that has been included in the planning process to ensure the new school honors the history and legacy of the original Lockerman Middle School.

Caroline County Commissioners

The county governing body that will ultimately decide the fate of the current Lockerman Middle School building once the new school opens.

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What they’re saying

“Lockerman is a tight space, period. The school serves roughly 900 students and has at times reached 1,000, yet sits on only 11 acres of land. Recommendations for a school of that size are closer to 15 to 20 acres.”

— Dr. Derek Simmons, Superintendent, Caroline County Public Schools (carolinereview.com)

“From my liability hat, Lockerman would present a real challenge if there were an emergency issue that happened at arrival or dismissal because the streets are clogged up. There is not a clear delineated spot for drop-off for parents. There's not a clear delineated bus parking area, besides on the curbs...they can't be put into that existing space.”

— Dr. Derek Simmons, Superintendent, Caroline County Public Schools (carolinereview.com)

What’s next

The Caroline County Commissioners will need to approve funding for the new Lockerman Middle School project, which is expected to open in August 2029 if the timeline holds.

The takeaway

The decision to build a new Lockerman Middle School on the North Caroline High campus reflects the district's commitment to providing modern, safe, and adequately sized educational facilities for the growing student population in the northern part of the county. The project also aims to honor the historical significance of the Lockerman name and legacy.