Minneapolis Public Schools Continues Work on New Construction, Renovation Projects

Minneapolis Public Schools in Minneapolis, Minn., is working with integrated construction management firm Kraus-Anderson on renovations to North High School that include a new Career & Technical Education (CTE) Center, according to a news release. The three major components of the project are new academic and athletic spaces, a new central student commons, and a North CTE Center. The district also partnered with LSE Architects for the project’s design.

The project totals 282,794 square feet and involves interior renovations to classrooms and program areas, a new media center, and dedicated space for drone flying, the news release reports. The auditorium, kitchen, and lunchroom were upgraded, and a new administration core, secure entrance, storm shelter, and single-use restrooms added.

“Our goal was to transform the existing building and artfully create an addition so that students would arrive each feeling pride in their school, fierce, knowing they are important and that they can accomplish anything they set their minds to,” said Mohammed Lawal, LSE Architects CEO.

Construction began in 2020, according to the news release. Renovations to the auditorium will be finished this fall, and Kraus-Anderson will proceed to finish additional interior and mechanical upgrades.

“KA is proud to be a team member with MPS in creating this leading-edge school facility which will be a conduit for career development,” said Kraus-Anderson Vice President John Huenink. “The new commons, updated classrooms and enhanced natural lighting will significantly elevate the school community and the learning experience.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Designing for Every Mind

    Learning environments have the power to shape not just what students know, but who they become. When a school is designed with genuine empathy—for the full range of ways students think, sense, and engage with the world—it becomes more than a building. It becomes a catalyst for growth, confidence, and belonging. That is the animating idea behind neurodiverse design, and it is one that is transforming how more architects and designers are thinking about school design.

  • Phoenix School District Breaks Ground on New Prep Academy

    The Creighton Elementary School District near Phoenix, Ariz., recently broke ground on a campus replacement for Biltmore Preparatory Academy, according to a news release. The new space will allow the school to expand its enrollment by 50 percent for K–8 students and accommodate modern, collaborative learning styles.

  • Nashville Elementary School Receives LEED Gold Certification

    Goodlettsville Elementary School, part of Metro Nashville Public Schools in Nashville, Tenn., recently achieved LEED Gold Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), according to a news release. The 81,750-square-foot school opened in 2023 and was designed by Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC).

  • S4L Announces 2026 Education Design Showcase Winners

    Spaces4Learning is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2026 Education Design Showcase! Now in its 27th year, the annual awards program honors innovative solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction across K–12 and higher education.