BEAVERTON, OR — Skanska has broken ground to rebuild the historic Beaverton High School (BHS). The new school will comprise a 300,500-square-foot, three-story building surrounding a 15,500-square-foot, enclosed courtyard. Construction work includes a new academic and gymnasium building as well as new student and staff parking lots, athletic field structures, and landscaping, with an opening date of fall 2026. With just over $211 million in budgeted funds for construction and building materials, the new high school and campus will be the largest project within the Beaverton School District #48J’s 2022 bond.

The new building will include prefabricated exterior walls built off site and transported for installation, as well as solar panels, skylights, and large windows to reduce the school’s dependence on electricity while providing ample natural light. The Jewels are orange pushouts that — on the inside — house student flex and individual spaces for reflection and focused study.

As the oldest high school in the city, Beaverton High is also believed to be the oldest in-use public high school in the state of Oregon in its original location and building. The original structure, which has been modified and added onto over many years, dates back to 1916.

“We look forward to having a modernized campus that meets students’ needs and functions as community evacuation center in case of a disaster,” said Andrew Kearl, Principal at Beaverton High School. “Skanska is well positioned to ensure student safety during construction, while supporting our efforts to provide a positive learning environment throughout the construction process.”

“As a Beaverton High graduate, I’m honored to rebuild this school to better serve the existing and future student body,” said Trevor Wyckoff, Skanska Account Manager and Senior Vice President, who is overseeing the project. “I have confidence in Skanska’s ability to deliver a school that improves the student experience and exceeds the expectations of the community. I hope our work will inspire students to go into construction. We could use more BHS grads to impact our industry. I look forward to celebrating alongside students, teachers, administrators, and neighbors when we complete this project.”

The school’s current, standalone cafeteria building will remain, with a new covered walkway connecting it to the new academic and gymnasium building. The new academic spaces will also entail new shop space for instruction to support the school’s emerging career technical education curriculum.

The new construction plan also includes a modernized performing arts area and athletic field improvements. The new theater will have modern features, including cedar wood to improve acoustics and bring in elements from the existing theater into the new space.

“Skanska built the popular Patricia Reser Center for the Arts just a few blocks away, so we are excited to bring this important and recent expertise to Beaverton High’s arts community,” Wyckoff said.

Enhancements to the athletic fields on the south and west parts of Beaverton High’s campus will include re-turfing, adding four tennis courts and constructing a new field house adjacent to the baseball diamonds.

After students and staff move into the new academic center, the current school will be demolished to make way for increased parking access and to alleviate congestion and overflow into surrounding neighborhoods.