Jefferson Modernization Planning & Design

In late 2019, after a series of public meetings over a four-month period, a Jefferson High School Conceptual Comprehensive Plan was completed as part of the planning effort for the 2020 Bond. This conceptual plan was used as the starting point for the new Jefferson Modernization Comprehensive Plan.

In November of 2020, the passage of the 2020 School Improvement Bond provided funding for both design and construction for the modernization of the historic school. What followed was a two-year planning process with extensive community engagement.

In December of 2022 the School Board approved Jefferson comprehensive plan that would extensively renovate the original 1909 building while adding new facilities around it. This $366 Million plan had students & staff staying on site during construction.

In Summer 2023 new construction cost analysis of the plan revealed that seismically upgrading the original 4 story unreinforced masonry building while keeping students on site would greatly exceed the project budget. PPS briefly looked at moving the students & staff to the Marshall campus during construction but many in the Jefferson community opposed this plan.

December 2023: Board Calls for Reassessment

In December 2023, the School Board called for a full reassessment of the Jefferson modernization plans with the following criteria: Keep students & staff largely on the Jefferson campus during construction. Include a targeted student enrollment of 1,700. Demolish the 1909 building and build a new building.

April 2, 2024: New Plan Presented

On April 2nd 2024 the Project Team presented the Board a new plan with an all new Jefferson High building to be constructed at the North end of the campus. This new plan would have cost $491 Million.

December 2024: Redesign Direction

In December, 2024 Superintendent Kimberlee Armstrong asked the Office of School Modernization (OSM) to find a smarter, more cost-efficient approach to deliver high-quality learning environments for students for the high school modernizations at Cleveland, Jefferson, and Ida B Wells. The projects went on hold as project teams looked toward design changes that would fulfill that direction.

February 11, 2025: Design Restart Approved

On February 11 2025, the PPS Board of Education unanimously approved a plan to restart the design process on the Cleveland, Jefferson, and Ida B Wells high school modernizations focusing on right-sizing each school to maximize resources while maintaining strong programming.

April 22, 2025: Final Cost Reduction Update

On April 22 2025, the project team provided an update of the Jefferson Comprehensive Plan to the Board as the final update on cost reduction efforts. With the reductions mandated by the Board directives and efficiency adjustments made to the floor plan by the design team, the project is projected to save approximately $25M–$35M.