• Norfolk Public Schools and the City of Norfolk held a Jan. 9 groundbreaking ceremony for a new��$230 million��Maury High School campus.��

• District leaders framed the project as a long-term education investment tied to student outcomes and community confidence.��

• Principal Karen Berg highlighted student-centered spaces intended to support collaboration,��creativity��and belonging.��

• Student speakers said the new building will be a place where their futures begin, with the district targeting a fall 2028 opening.��

• Heartland Construction’s vice president said the project will be delivered on time, according to the district recap.��

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NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk Public Schools and the City of Norfolk marked the start of work on a new��$230 million,��state-of-the-art��Maury High School with a Jan. 9 groundbreaking ceremony.����

Built to accommodate a growing student body, the new campus will include experiential labs for career and technical education programs such as culinary arts, ROTC, and the Medical and Health Specialties Program. A 700-seat auditorium and dedicated��spaces��for fine and performing arts will provide opportunities for students in music,��theater��and visual arts.��Additionally, the school will feature a multi-purpose field with an exercise track, baseball and softball��fields, a six-court tennis complex, and practice facilities for track and field. The two multi-purpose fields are intended for a variety of sports and activities, including soccer,��lacrosse��and field hockey.����

“This new school has been thoughtfully designed with students at the center including spaces that encourage collaboration, creativity, and belonging,” said Maury Principal Karen Berg, according to��.��

A key feature of the site design is its focus on sustainability and coastal resilience, according to the project website. The project incorporates a stormwater park and a constructed wetland to manage flooding, enhance water��quality��and create educational opportunities for students. Native plantings will support local wildlife habitats while increasing flood storage capacity during severe weather events.��

Community input has been integral to the project’s development.��Project plans note that the new Maury High School will not only serve as a modern educational hub but also as a symbol of Norfolk’s commitment to resilient, forward-thinking design. By combining design excellence with meaningful community involvement, this project will enhance the��city’s educational infrastructure and support long-term community well-being.��

“Today is more than��a groundbreaking��but it is a promise,”��said NPS Chair Tiffany Moore-Buffaloe��at the ceremony,��according to��.��

Heartland Construction will deliver��the project��across three construction phases. The first phase will focus on site preparation and the construction of new athletic fields and stormwater management facilities. Phase II will result in the construction of the new school building, while Phase III will focus on the construction of a new multi-purpose athletic field.��The school is expected to welcome its first students in time for the 2028-29 academic year.��

The��new��L-shaped��facility will span��315,000 square feet��and will serve an estimated 1,750 students. The original��school��building��opened in fall 1910, making it the city’s oldest school,��and has been a longstanding point of pride for the community.��

This article is based on reporting originally published by����on Jan. 12, 2026.��

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By Lindsey Coulter

Principal Larry Natividad, Ed.D., describes the new $225-million Compton High School as breathtaking, calling it a project that redefines the community. More than that, the sprawling new campus is part of a broader shift in how people think about the city of Compton, Calif., and its residents.

“For too long, perceptions of Compton have been shaped by outdated narratives … that fail to reflect the strength, resilience and brilliance of our community,” Natividad said. “The new Compton High School stands as a bold statement: The future of Compton is bright, innovative and full of promise.”

The beautiful new 223,650-square-foot campus—brought to life by DLR Group, Swinerton Building Company and project management firm Cumming—was featured as the Facility of the Month in the as an example not only of innovative design and construction, but also progress and possibility.

���سԹ� spoke with Natividad to understand how the project has helped to rewrite the community’s narrative and create a renewed sense of pride and hope among students and educators.

SCN: How have students responded to the facility?

Natividad: The response from our scholars has been one of awe, excitement and renewed hope. Many students express that it finally feels like they are in a place that honors who they are and who they have the potential to become. The new Compton High School offers a world-class learning environment that rivals top-tier facilities anywhere in the world, and our scholars are inspired by the message that they are worthy of excellence.

Compton High School is more than just a building; it’s a symbol of what vision, perseverance, and community collaboration can achieve. In this environment, our scholars can flourish, not just academically, but emotionally and socially. We’ve seen a rise in student engagement, pride, and a deeper sense of belonging.

At the same time, this transformation brings a new level of visibility and accountability. Some students have shared that it feels like “all eyes are on us,” and that can be overwhelming. That’s why we are committed to a systems-based approach that ensures timely support, open communication, and inclusive problem-solving so every student feels heard and supported through this transition.

SCN: How has the new facility changed the educator experience?

Natividad: This is not just a change in location. It’s a transformation in how we educate, inspire, and lead. The transition from traditional classrooms to shared learning studios represents a significant mindset shift in public education. These flexible, collaborative spaces are designed to promote innovation and maximize instructional impact. With this shift comes the opportunity and responsibility for educators to rethink how space is used to support student achievement.

As we move forward, we are laser focused on academic results. Our goal is continuous improvement, with targeted outcomes that include increasing our [California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress] and math test scores in the upcoming year. We are also prioritizing growth in science performance, ensuring a well-rounded academic foundation for all students. We are also mindful that our focus is also to support and enhance the educational attainment for our special education scholars, foster and homeless youth, our English language learners.

SCN: What is your favorite aspect of the design?

Natividad: The open-air feel of the building, especially in the Academic Building, where the majority of our learning studios are located. The high ceilings and spacious walkways create an environment that feels expansive, inviting, and modern. The learning studios themselves are designed as just-in-time classrooms, where educators no longer “own” a space individually, but collaborate and share rooms to maximize the building’s capacity and serve more scholars efficiently and effectively.

I also appreciate the thoughtful use of natural lighting. It creates a bright, comfortable atmosphere that encourages breathing room for both thought and creativity. It truly feels like a place built for learning and growth.

The Dr. Dre Performing Arts Center is another standout feature of our campus. With 901 seats, it is designed to host world-class performances and elevate our scholars’ experiences in the arts. Our new gymnasium, which accommodates 903 spectators, marks a major step forward in rebuilding our championship athletic program. Combined with our half Olympic-sized pool, home to our inaugural aquatics program, we are proudly positioning Compton High School to develop scholar-athletes who can become

Olympians, professionals and leaders in the global sports industry.

In addition, our state-of-the-art stadium seats 2,099 spectators and will be the proud home of our Tarbabe football program this fall.

SCN: How does the new campus build a sense of safety and community?

Natividad: Safety is our number one priority. A secure and disciplined environment is the foundation of a vibrant learning community; one where scholars can thrive and pursue their futures with confidence. Our campus is equipped with more than163 cameras and state-of-the-art surveillance tools that monitor activity 24/7. This technology allows us to trace movement from multiple angles and investigate potential threats swiftly and effectively.

A safe campus isn’t just about protection; it’s about creating the conditions where students and staff feel supported, valued and empowered to succeed. Our new Compton High School embodies that vision. Through intentional investment in our scholars and facilities, we are building a strong sense of community and belonging. Our students know they deserve the very best educational experience in the world. With access to modern learning studios, student conference rooms, and global connectivity through live-streaming classrooms that reflect real-world industry settings, our scholars are immersed in an environment that boldly tells them that their education matters.

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BOWLING GREEN, Ohio — Bowling Green City Schools officially broke ground this month on a new 155,000-square-foot high school to better serve the growing community.

Global, integrated design firm DLR Group, in partnership with emersionDESIGN of Cincinnati, designed the new high school facility, which will serve approximately 880 Bowling Green students in grades nine through 12.

The three-story facility will be centered around a learning hub and commons (which will offer dining and multipurpose space), where hallways from all academic departments will converge. A learning stair offers another area for instruction and gathering, while the new Dedicated Learning Center will host special education and life skills courses. To increase student engagement, learning will be put on display and celebrated throughout the school, showcasing educational programming in general classrooms and labs, agriculture, marketing, performing and fine arts, business, robotics and broadcasting spaces. A new competition gymnasium serving 1,750 spectators with full court views from an elevated walking track is another focal point of the design.

The approximately $63 million project will be supported by a $72.8 million bond passed in November 2023 a bond issue approved by local voters in 2023. The additional funding will help to cover some environmental upgrades and efficiency investments, such as the addition of 140 geothermal wells and heat pumps, a modern building automation system, LED lighting with occupancy sensors and energy-recovery units. Some of the additional funds will also support the redevelopment of the existing high school facility.

The project also the first transformational project advocated for by the district’s educational facilities master plan since its approval in October 2023. As community engagement was crucial to the project’s development, the project team hosted visioning meetings with students and teachers, who emphasized that the new school should be a central point of pride for the Bowling Green community. The design team spent 18 months exploring numerous design, layout and orientation options that balanced the educational needs and budget.

“The new Bowling Green High School embodies the design excellence that’s possible when everyone works together with a shared commitment to student success,” said Dusty Lake, associate and K-12 education client leader for DLR Group. “Our extensive planning and visioning with the district have driven the design of this new school. Every decision has been a collaborative effort, ensuring the outcome not only meets but exceeds expectations.”

The project should be completed in time to welcome students for the 2027-28 school year. Following the transition into the new facility, the current high school, which has served the community since 1963, will be partially redeveloped into the new Bowling Green City Schools Activity Center, set to open in 2028.

The design team also collaborated with the construction management team of Rudolph Libbe Inc. and the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission, which will contribute roughly 17% of construction costs.

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REVERE, Mass. — The site that once housed Revere’s Wonderland Dog Track, built in 1935, will soon be the home of a new 422,600-square-foot high school.��

Set to begin construction this year, the $493 million project is twice as large as the community’s current high school. When complete in fall 2028, it will be a state-of-the art space for academics, athletics and community engagement for more than 2,400 students.��

The project, designed by Boston-based architecture firm Perkins Eastman and overseen by Boston-based project management firm LeftField, aims to create a uniform campus with diverse facilities that will support a wide range of activities and programs.��The school’s nucleus is a flexible, three-story space with a 1,000-person capacity that will serve as an auditorium, gymnasium and cafeteria. The space will be an asset for entertainment and extracurricular activities, including Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps events and vocational programs. ��

A new four-story wing will house the high school’s main academic classrooms as well as support services, a media center and specialty classes. A separate first-year academy building with its own cafeteria will help ninth grade students who are new to high school adapt to the academic environment. Recreation areas include a field that can serve the soccer and baseball programs as well as tennis courts. Other exterior spaces include a drop-off area for cars and buses.��

The school’s foundation will be elevated for flood protection purposes. Capitalizing on this unique design, space below the school will be made into an underground parking facility with space for 650 vehicles. Approximately 350 spaces will be reserved for teachers and staff members. ��

In 2022, Revere officials approved a $29.5 million expenditure to acquire the 30-acre Wonderland property through eminent domain. After securing the land, the project’s location was approved in February 2024 by Revere’s city council in a 10-1 vote. ��

“I am happy to get the ball rolling on the Revere High School project,” said Mayor Patrick M. Keefe Jr. in a statement regarding the approval. “It is important that the Wonderland site is secured, so we can work expeditiously to meet our ambitious timeline goals with this project. This is an important milestone that marks the beginning of a long-sought project that benefits students, teachers, and the community at large.”��

To help cover construction costs, the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) has committed to reimbursing the city for a portion of the expenses. The project is currently on budget, and the design phase is slated for completion in July. The design team was able to submit its development package to the MSBA without needing to make major changes.��

Next steps include putting out a bid for site demolition, which will remove the old clubhouse foundation, dog track and utilities. Once the site work is completed, two independent estimators will review costs to confirm that the project remains financially on track before foundation and structural building begins by September. Final construction documents will be completed by the end of the year.��

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