Construction on the new school began in April 2005 following the approval of a $240 million bond in June 2004.

As construction was beginning, a population of silvery salamanders was found on the site.

[4] A lawsuit was filed to block construction on the site due to the salamanders' presence, but the lawsuit was dropped the following month and construction was allowed to continue.

[5] As a result of the salamanders' presence, 57 of the 109 acres of the school's property were set aside as a wildlife preserve.

They are part of the Southeastern Conference ("SEC") in the Red division.