Skip to main content
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The project replaces the current Pipkin building, originally constructed in 1925 and suffering from extensive wear and outdated systems.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

  • Hawaii Elementary School Reopens Following $25M Campus Modernization

    Haʻaheo Elementary School in Hilo, Hawaii, has reopened to students following a three-year, $25-million campus modernization and expansion project that significantly increases the school's instructional space while preserving one of the island's oldest educational institutions, according to local news.

  • University of Kentucky Reopens Scovell Hall

    The University of Kentucky recently reopened Scovell Hall, part of the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (CAFE), following comprehensive renovations to the 120-year-old facility in Lexington, Ky., according to a news release.

  • URI Cuts Underwater Ribbon on New Ocean Robotics Laboratory

    The University of Rhode Island recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new Ocean Robotics Laboratory at its Narragansett Bay Campus, according to a news release. Two students used a remotely operated vehicle to cut an underwater ribbon in a 30-by-20-foot test tank.

  • University of Rochester to Break Ground on New Student Life Center

    The University of Rochester in Rochester, N.Y., recently began construction on a new Student Life building, according to a news release. The first floor will contain campus-wide gathering, program, and rehearsal space; the second floor will play home to the Greenbaum Center for Jewish Life.