# Rise STEM Academy for Girls opens state-of-the-art facility **Published:** 2026-08-03T16:06:00.000Z **Source:** [Fayette County Public Schools](https://www.fcps.net/post-details/~board/fayette-county-public-schools-news/post/rise-stem-academy-officially-opens-new-building) **AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) **Canonical:** https://feeds.lexingtonky.news/article/rise-stem-academy-for-girls-opens-state-of-the-art-facility LEXINGTON, Ky. — Fayette County Public Schools opened the doors to a new state-of-the-art facility for Rise STEM Academy for Girls on Aug. 3, marking a major investment in STEM education for the district. The ribbon-cutting ceremony at 988 Mason Headley Road drew students, families, school board members, and state officials to celebrate the newest facility in the district's portfolio of schools. The 118,839-square-foot building, located at the intersection of Mason Headley and Versailles Road, was designed with a capacity of 900 students and features flexible, collaborative spaces that encourage project-based learning. The facility incorporated [environmentally friendly and energy-efficient strategies](https://www.fcps.net/community/construction-renovations/rise-stem-academy) in its design. Rise STEM Academy for Girls launched in the 2020-21 school year in the former Linlee Elementary building on Spurr Road, initially welcoming students in grades K-2 and adding a grade level each year. The school targets economically disadvantaged girls of color and uses a lottery system for admissions, with [districtwide bus transportation available](https://rise.fcps.net/about-us/about-the-school). "This new space represents opportunity, and every space in this building was designed with purpose," said Principal Cynthia Bruno at the ceremony. "There's a place for your voice and your brilliance in this world!" Acting Superintendent Bill Bradford noted that Rise has served as a pioneer in developing the district's "Portrait of a Graduate," emphasizing lifelong learning and student resilience. Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman commended Rise as [only the second K-8 girls STEM school in the country](https://rise.fcps.net/about-us/about-the-school). "That means more opportunities for our students, their families, and Kentucky's economy," Coleman said. Mayor Linda Gorton highlighted the potential of the students, saying: "They are curious, they are intelligent, and they are absolutely our future leaders." The project cost $58.4 million and was completed by [D.W. Wilburn, Inc., a Lexington-based construction firm](https://lexingtonky.news/2024/08/08/fayette-county-public-schools-to-approve-58-4-million-contract-for-new-rise-stem-academy/). The school's focus on STEM education aligns with district efforts to expose students to technology-related career pathways and build confidence in scientific and engineering disciplines. ## Sources - [Fayette County Public Schools](https://www.fcps.net/post-details/~board/fayette-county-public-schools-news/post/rise-stem-academy-officially-opens-new-building) - [Rise STEM Academy construction project information](https://www.fcps.net/community/construction-renovations/rise-stem-academy) - [Rise STEM Academy official school website](https://rise.fcps.net/about-us/about-the-school) - [Previous coverage of construction contract award](https://lexingtonky.news/2024/08/08/fayette-county-public-schools-to-approve-58-4-million-contract-for-new-rise-stem-academy/) --- This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from Fayette County Public Schools, enriched with 2 web searches. The original source is available at https://www.fcps.net/post-details/~board/fayette-county-public-schools-news/post/rise-stem-academy-officially-opens-new-building.