Add as a preferred source on Google

Springfield Breaks Ground on $53.7M Pipkin Middle School Rebuild

  • By Matt Jones
  • 06/10/25

Construction is underway on a new, state-of-the-art Pipkin Middle School in Springfield, Mo., a major step in Springfield Public Schools’ (SPS) long-term facility improvement plan, according to local news. The $53.7-million project officially broke ground in early June, following years of planning and community input aimed at modernizing aging infrastructure and addressing student capacity concerns.

Located near the existing Pipkin site, the new 114,750-square-foot facility will accommodate up to 725 students and is designed with collaborative learning spaces, modern technology integration, and enhanced security features. The project replaces the current Pipkin building, originally constructed in 1925 and suffering from extensive wear and outdated systems.

The school’s construction is part of the voter-approved Proposition S, a $220-million bond measure passed in 2019. In total, the bond supports the replacement or renovation of several SPS facilities, with Pipkin’s rebuild among the largest. Superintendent Grenita Lathan noted the project's alignment with districtwide goals of improving educational equity and modernizing learning environments.

The new school, being built on property formerly used for district facilities and maintenance, is slated for completion by fall 2026. Crossland Construction is serving as general contractor, with design by Paragon Architecture, according to the Springfield Daily Citizen.

With groundbreaking complete, the focus now shifts to foundational work and vertical construction, which is expected to accelerate throughout the summer. The project represents a key investment in the future of Springfield’s educational infrastructure and reflects broader trends in middle school design that emphasize flexibility, student well-being, and safety.

About the Author

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

Featured

  • Texas K–12 District to Build New Elementary, High Schools

    The High Island Independent School District on the Bolivar Peninsula in Southeast Texas recently announced that construction on a new elementary school and a new high school will begin in January 2026, according to local news. Funding will come from a $27.9-million bond passed in May 2025.

  • Tennessee State University Gains Approval for New Engineering Facility

    Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tenn., recently announced that it has received approval from the Tennessee State Building Commission to build a new engineering building on campus, according to a university news release. The 70,000-square-foot, $50-million facility will play home to the university’s engineering programs and the Applied & Industrial Technology program.

  • FAU Starts Construction on Holocaust and Jewish Studies Building

    Florida Atlantic University recently began construction on a new academic building for its campus in Boca Raton, Fla., according to university news. The Kurt and Marilyn Wallach Holocaust and Jewish Studies Building will stand two stories, measure in at 22,000 square feet, and play home to the university’s Holocaust education and Jewish studies programs.

  • UCNJ Launches $30M Modernization of Physical Education Center

    The Union College of Union County (UCNJ) in Cranford, N.J., recently broke ground on a new $30-million modernization project for its Physical Education Center (PECK), according to a news release. The college partnered with DIGroup Architecture for the project’s design, transitioning the existing 42,000-square-foot structure into a campus hub for student athletics and campus life.

Digital Edition