• Ida B. Wells Modernization Planning & Design

  • Stay Informed

    Bond Update - Plans for the modernization of Cleveland, Jefferson, & Ida B. Wells High Schools move forward.
    Bond message icon

    View the March 2025 Bond update message from the district

    Ida B. Wells plan approved

    On May 7th, 2024, the PPS School Board approved the comprehensive plan for a new Ida B Wells High School to be built to the west of the existing school on the multipurpose field. Students will stay on site in the existing school during construction. 

    The new IBW will be a larger four-story building with state-of-the-art academic and support spaces, including specialized instructional spaces for Well’s unique Career Technical Education [CTE] programs. The track and field will be relocated and reoriented, creating a more inviting approach to campus from the Capitol Highway side of the site. The Portland Parks and Recreation swimming pool will remain in its current location and is not part of this project, but parking and access to the pool facility will be improved.

    A full complement of athletic fields will be provided, and the existing fields on the Rieke side of the campus will be upgraded. Two Southwest Trails through the site will be upgraded.
    View the April 2024 IBW comprehensive plan report 

    Ida B. Wells Modernization Design Influences graphic flyer
    Design influences fflyer icon
    View the Ida B. Wells design influences graphic flyer

    View the District Education Specifications for Comprehensive High Schools (Ed Specs)

    Ida B Wells Modernization Project History - Conceptual Master Planning in 2019 

    In late 2019, after a series of public meetings over a four-month period, a Ida B Wells High School Conceptual Master Plan was completed as part of the planning effort for the 2020 Bond. The work was done through a Conceptual Master Planning Committee (CMPC), a group of school and community stakeholder representatives who worked together to help provide feedback for the Ida B Wells Conceptual Master Plan.  The conceptual master planning process helped determine each school’s overall program needs, site layout, and more accurately determine the cost estimates for historic modernization vs. the rebuilding of that school and helped PPS in the planning of future capital improvement bonds.

    This conceptual plan will be used as the starting point for the new Ida B Wells Comprehensive Plan, but the new Comprehensive Planning Committee (CPC) will not be restricted by those plans.

  • View the Wilson CMPC Report

    Wilson CMPC Report Icon

    View the Wilson CMCP Report (Jan 2020)
    View the CMCP Report Appendices

    Note - When the CMPC was developed in 2019 the school was still named Wilson High School. All the following documents will reflect that fact.

    View the Wilson CMPC Overview Info-graphic

    Wilson CMPC infographic Icon
    View the Info-graphic| Español |Tiếng Việt | Русский | Soomaali | 中文

    What Is Conceptual Master Planning?
    The conceptual master planning process will determine each school’s overall program needs, site layout, and more accurately determine the cost estimates for historic modernization vs. the rebuilding of that school. This conceptual planning information will help PPS in the planning of future capital improvement bonds.

    What Is Modernization?
    Modernization will completely reconfigure and update learning spaces with a focus on indoor environmental quality, sustainability and historic preservation. Full modernizations retain the historic character of the school while bringing those buildings up to code and concurrently creating a more modern learning environment. In the case of Wilson, it may be determined that a partial or complete rebuild might be the best approach. This decision will be determined during conceptual master planning.

    This is considered the most cost-effective, sustainable way to improve Wilson, due to age, condition and historic significance.

    View the District Education Specifications for Comprehensive High Schools (Ed Specs)

  • What Is Modernization?
    Modernization will completely reconfigure and update learning spaces with a focus on indoor environmental quality, sustainability and historic preservation. Full modernizations retain the historical character of the school while bringing those buildings up to code and concurrently creating a more modern learning environment. In the case of Ida B. Wells, it may be determined that a partial or complete rebuild might be the best approach. This decision will be determined during conceptual master planning.

  • Ida B. Wells Modernization Design Team

    Bora Architecture has deep K-12 experience and a strong history of successful projects with PPS, including Faubion PK-8 and the rebuilt Lincoln High School. They are also a national leader in the design of performing arts spaces.

    Thank you voters

    Thank you voters for supporting the 2012, 2017 and 2020 Bonds. The Office of School Modernization is continuing the important work of rebuilding our aging schools, making them all safer, more sustainable and better equipped for 21st century learning.

  • Ida B. Wells Modernization Timeline

    Planning and Design is set to begin in early fall of 2023 with the development of an Ida B. Wells Comprehensive Plan. The Planning and Design phase will continue over the next two years.

    The 2020 Bond Program does not include funding to complete construction for the Cleveland High School and Ida B. Wells High School modernization projects. Money for the construction of those schools would need to come from a future school improvement bond.  

    Until that happens, there is no schedule for future construction. The timing of a future bond and what projects are included in it are decisions made by the PPS School Board.