On Tuesday bells at the new Orange Beach Middle/ High School rang out the schools’ alma mater as local officials cut the ribbon and prepared to welcome students this week.

Orange Beach High School principal Erika McCoy said, “It’s been the most adventurous year and six months that I can recall in my entire 40 years of life. We started in a modest little room at the elementary school that Mr. Moss so graciously lent to us and with the support of many of you standing here and the patience of many of you standing here, we made it to today.”

“I continue to hear the words partnership, collaboration, cooperation. I am a huge fan of Helen Keller and she said it best, “alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” McCoy continued, “Our pledge to you and this community and the board of education is to make this school the absolute best it can be. Not the best in the county, not the best on the island, not the best in the state, but the best in the nation. That is our pledge.”

The 130,000 square foot facility features a 740-seat gym, 280-seat cafeteria, 710-seat auditorium, a tornado shelter and more.