A new high school is scheduled to open in Saratoga Springs in 2009 to ease crowding at Lehi High School. But another public high school scheduled to open in Eagle Mountain a year earlier could help, too.

Rockwell Charter High School had its groundbreaking Wednesday. When it opens in August 2008, it will accommodate 600 students and be at the southwest corner of State Road 73 and Ranches Boulevard. It's now accepting applications and will conduct a lottery for student spots in February.

The school could relieve the crowding at Lehi High, which now has about 2,200 students. The school expects to have even more students in the 2008-09 school year. However, the charter school could accept students from other areas.

"It would certainly make us smaller if they are up and ready in time to take that many kids," said LHS Principal Chuck Bearce. "It would make our school a little smaller."

He and district officials are reserved about the possible impact, saying they won't know the full effect of the charter high school until enrollment numbers are studied for fall.

"That would have to remain to be seen," Bearce said. "We can't go on their guess that they will have 600. We have to be prepared for our students."

Rockwell won't be the first charter school in Eagle Mountain.

"I think it is going to be a great addition to our city," said Mayor Don D. Richardson. "The Ranches Academy has done a great job, and we look forward to the same quality education Rockwell will offer."

The reason the charter school can open earlier than the high school in Saratoga Springs, which has been in the planning stages much longer, is because it is smaller and will have fewer facilities, according to Redge Hudson, president of the board of trustees for Rockwell Charter High School.

While the charter school will have fewer facilities, Hudson emphasized the advantages of Rockwell's smaller class sizes in accomplishing the goals of the school.

"We will have a mentoring program," said Hudson. "It is important that teachers are not overwhelmed by the number of students."

Each student at the charter school will have a faculty mentor to help guide their studies and be a resource.

The goal of the school according to the Web site is to "provide a rigorous college-preparatory, liberal arts education with a smaller environment than most traditional public schools, while still offering a well-rounded high school experience."

"We want our students to be well-rounded people," Hudson said.

Once the lottery is held in February, the students will form advisory committees that will select school colors, mascots and events.