Lion image on wall at Clark Hall

Phase Two: Moving Forward on a New High School and So Much More

Posted: 5/6/2021 Categories: District News, HOMEPAGE Headlines, Press Releases, Lincoln High School News, Blacklick Elementary News, Chapelfield Elementary, Goshen Lane Elementary News, High Point Elementary News, Jefferson Elementary News, Lincoln Elementary News, Royal Manor Elementary News, Middle School South News, Middle School East News, Middle School West News, Master Facilities Plan Projects

 

Master Facilities Plan: Moving Forward on a New High School and So Much More

While the 2020-2021 school year has certainly been filled with its fair share of challenges due to the pandemic, it also was a year of significant progress for Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools. The district is about to cut the ribbon on a beautiful, new Lincoln Elementary and made substantial improvements to K-8 facilities with classroom lighting, flooring, furniture and remodeled restrooms in Phase One of the Master Facilities Plan.

The district has begun planning for Phase Two of our Master Facilities Plan.

“The elementary and middle school additions that are part of the plan are just as important as the new Lincoln High School,” said Superintendent Steve Barrett. "We have been growing for a number of years, and we are excited to welcome new families to our district. We are grateful for our community’s support because now we can design and build the adequate space we need."

In partnership with local Schorr Architects, the district has commissioned DLR Group, an international leader in building educational spaces, to design the new high school and oversee the additions to two elementary schools (Blacklick and High Point) and the three Gahanna middle schools.

The architects are currently working with school principals to gather feedback on their desires for the buildings. A student shadowing day is also planned for the architects to walk the buildings with students to collect their insights.

“The process is really all about listening,” said Barrett. “The architects want to put themselves in the shoes of our students as they create the designs to ensure we are meeting their needs.”

The district also is committed to engaging the Gahanna community and is launching a steering committee to review building plans and provide feedback along the way. In addition, Barrett looks forward to sharing designs as they are developed with the community at large.

“We will not just be creating inspiring spaces in Phase Two. We are redesigning learning,” said Barrett. “This is about developing an optimal education environment that supports social-emotional learning, which is a major focus for our district. We are focused on creating bright, flexible spaces that foster collaboration and are inspiring to students and teachers. Our students, teachers and staff, deserve a comfortable and inviting atmosphere to grow and thrive.”

Barrett wants to assure the GJPS school community that great care is being taken to ensure learning is not interrupted during the building process. “We should be able to bring the additions online at the elementary and middle schools in the next couple of years, while the high school is slated to be completed by 2024."

Phase Two: Moving Forward on a New High School and So Much More

Posted: 5/6/2021 Categories: District News, HOMEPAGE Headlines, Press Releases, Lincoln High School News, Blacklick Elementary News, Chapelfield Elementary, Goshen Lane Elementary News, High Point Elementary News, Jefferson Elementary News, Lincoln Elementary News, Royal Manor Elementary News, Middle School South News, Middle School East News, Middle School West News, Master Facilities Plan Projects

 

Master Facilities Plan: Moving Forward on a New High School and So Much More

While the 2020-2021 school year has certainly been filled with its fair share of challenges due to the pandemic, it also was a year of significant progress for Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools. The district is about to cut the ribbon on a beautiful, new Lincoln Elementary and made substantial improvements to K-8 facilities with classroom lighting, flooring, furniture and remodeled restrooms in Phase One of the Master Facilities Plan.

The district has begun planning for Phase Two of our Master Facilities Plan.

“The elementary and middle school additions that are part of the plan are just as important as the new Lincoln High School,” said Superintendent Steve Barrett. "We have been growing for a number of years, and we are excited to welcome new families to our district. We are grateful for our community’s support because now we can design and build the adequate space we need."

In partnership with local Schorr Architects, the district has commissioned DLR Group, an international leader in building educational spaces, to design the new high school and oversee the additions to two elementary schools (Blacklick and High Point) and the three Gahanna middle schools.

The architects are currently working with school principals to gather feedback on their desires for the buildings. A student shadowing day is also planned for the architects to walk the buildings with students to collect their insights.

“The process is really all about listening,” said Barrett. “The architects want to put themselves in the shoes of our students as they create the designs to ensure we are meeting their needs.”

The district also is committed to engaging the Gahanna community and is launching a steering committee to review building plans and provide feedback along the way. In addition, Barrett looks forward to sharing designs as they are developed with the community at large.

“We will not just be creating inspiring spaces in Phase Two. We are redesigning learning,” said Barrett. “This is about developing an optimal education environment that supports social-emotional learning, which is a major focus for our district. We are focused on creating bright, flexible spaces that foster collaboration and are inspiring to students and teachers. Our students, teachers and staff, deserve a comfortable and inviting atmosphere to grow and thrive.”

Barrett wants to assure the GJPS school community that great care is being taken to ensure learning is not interrupted during the building process. “We should be able to bring the additions online at the elementary and middle schools in the next couple of years, while the high school is slated to be completed by 2024."