COLUMBUS, OH — Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools has commissioned global design firm DLR Group and local firm Schorr Architects to design a new high school and additions to two elementary and three middle schools as part of the phase two master facilities plan. Located in a suburb northeast of Columbus, the school district is experiencing rapid growth and needs additional space to alleviate overcrowding, as well as updates and enhancements to aging facilities.

Built in 1927, the existing Lincoln High School is outdated and does not meet the educational needs of today’s students and teachers. DLR Group’s design for the high school will offer competitive and flexible spaces that allow for expanded vocational and real-life learning opportunities for 2,800 students. It includes academic classrooms, flexible environments that adapt to a variety of student needs, hands-on labs, a performing arts center, athletics center and fieldhouse, and a cafeteria space.

To accommodate increased student enrollment district-wide, classrooms for general instruction, art, and music, and expanded cafeteria space will be added to two K-5 elementary schools and three middle schools. These additions allow the district to create flexible learning environments and provide space for future growth.

“The Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools community began developing a strategic vision in 2015 to improve the educational landscape for its students and staff. DLR Group is thrilled to be part of the team to design phase two of the plan and to deliver next-generation learning environments to benefit the entire community of learners,” said DLR Group Planner Troy Glover, ALEP, LE Fellow. “We embrace this opportunity as a springboard to continue growing our practice in Columbus and across the region.”

Ruscilli Construction is serving as Construction Manager for the project. The $250-million budget is funded through the November 3, 2020, voter-approved bond referendum.