Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Illinois District Breaks Ground on Two New Junior High Schools

  • By Matt Jones
  • 10/01/24

Joliet Public Schools District 86 in Joliet, Ill., recently began construction on two new junior high schools—the district’s first new schools since 2011, according to a news release. New facilities for Hufford Junior High School and Gompers Junior High School will serve the east and west sides of the city and be built next to their current facilities, which will be demolished after the project is complete. The district is partnering with construction management firm Nicholas & Associates on both facilities.

Funding comes from a $99.5-million bond that voters approved in a 2023 referendum. Both schools are more than 66 years old, and their new counterparts will include upgrades like larger classrooms and hallways, improved ADA accommodations, enhanced technology, safety and security upgrades, and sustainability initiatives. Both schools combined will serve about 1,800 students, the news release reports.

“Beautifully designed and constructed with today’s learning environment in mind, these state-of-the-art facilities will enhance the lives of the students and families of Joliet for generations to come,” said Nicholas & Associates Vice President Joe Papanicholas.

The district enrolls a total of 9,363 students, according to the news release.

About the Author

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

Featured

  • UTampa Breaks Ground on STEM Academic Facility

    The University of Tampa in Tampa, Fla., recently broke ground on one of its largest academic facilities ever, according to a news release. The Dickey Science Innovation Center will measure 153,000 square feet and has a scheduled completion date of fall 2028.

  • school building with glowing circuit board patterns

    AI Is Coming to Schools — But Most School Buildings Still Run on Institutional Memory

    As school districts race to introduce AI into classrooms, administration, and curriculum planning, another conversation is happening behind the scenes: How prepared are school facilities themselves for the operational demands AI will create?

  • 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.

  • USC Launches Major AI Initiative After $200M Gift

    The University of Southern California in Los Angeles, Calif., recently announced that it has launched a “transformational” new AI initiative thanks to a $200M gift, according to a news release. The project will leverage AI toward breakthroughs and innovations in subjects like the health sciences, business, security, and the arts.