The Gaston County (N.C.) district has begun construction of a $27.5 million middle school in Stanley.

The 135,000-square-foot Stanley Middle School is being built at the same location as the existing middle school. It will have more than 40 classrooms and be able to accommodate 1,000 students in grades six through eight.

It is scheduled to open in 2017-18 with about 800 students. The district says the school will provide the capacity needed to handle enrollment growth in the Stanley and Mount Holly areas.

Voters approved funding for the school in a 2007 bond referendum.

The new school is being built behind the existing building on the site of the football field. After construction is completed, the old building will be demolished, and new athletic fields will take its place.