Methacton High School Campus Planning

Current Phase: Design Development

Latest Updates

The Board of School Directors approved advancing the High School renovation project into the Design Development phase at the February 24, 2026 Regular Meeting.
The Schematic Design phase was completed in February, resulting in a finalized site and building development plan submitted for review by local zoning officials and county approval authorities. The project remains on schedule and continues to prioritize comprehensive site enhancements, strategic new construction, and targeted renovations—including critical upgrades to the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems.
The total project investment is currently estimated at approximately $113 million.
Schrader Group Architects presented the refined plans that will guide work through the Design Development phase, which is expected to continue through August 2026.

Design Development Timeline (Feb - Aug 2026)

Design Team Meetings – every 2 weeks
End User Meetings w/ all HS Staff
Student Feedback Sessions
Parent / Community Feedback Sessions
Land Development Approvals
- Zoning Hearing – April 2026
- Worcester Planning Commission & Board of Supervisors – Spring through Fall 2026
- Montgomery County Conservation District Review (NPDES Permit) – Spring through Fall 2026
Estimating & Value Engineering
Monthly Board Updates
Property Committee Updates
Finance Committee Updates
August Board Meeting (Vote to move into Construction Documents)

Renovation Plans

The Methacton High School Renovation Project is rooted in addressing core building systems including roofing, windows, masonry, ventilation, heating, air conditioning and dehumidification systems, electrical systems, safety and security systems, and accessibility. The plan further addresses traffic flow, parking, and a pool and wellness center, along with developing life skills space, common space, performing arts and STEM spaces.

The concept plan is organized to provide a project-based approach to addressing the campus and high school building over time starting with the areas most in need, then progressing over time from the oldest areas of building to newer areas of the building. This approach allows the district to better align the costs of the project, currently estimated at $114 million, into the annual budget.

Initial Project Plan
Future Projects

Initial Project Plan

The building, upon completed renovation, has a targeted utilization capacity of 1,664 students with six fewer classrooms than the existing structure. The general approach to this project includes breaking ground in March 2027 for a new 8-lane pool. This pool will be built on the exterior of the existing building, which means the construction will have little to no impact on school operations. The new pool will not only have more space for athletic competition and physical education instruction, but it will also provide more convenient access for community members after hours.

Simultaneously, crews will be constructing a new classroom wing adjacent to the front entrance. This will serve as a replacement for the classrooms that will be removed in the ‘west wing’ at a later time. The west wing is the oldest part of the building.

The preliminary timeline suggests demolition of the ‘B-Wing’ in July 2027. The B-Wing currently houses Family Consumer Science classes, athletic training, the weight room and two other spaces that are currently unused due to water infiltration issues.

The next phase of the project includes construction of a new auditorium and performing arts spaces along with repurposing the original pool for use as classrooms, a fitness center and STEM spaces.

The final phase of the initial project includes demolishing the west wing, which includes the current performing arts area and auditorium. This phase also includes the construction of a new front entrance, site work, parking and throughways.

The image appears to be a floor plan or layout of Methacton High School, showing various renovations and additions to the school, including a new field, performing arts spaces, a new auditorium, and other classroom and office spaces.

The image appears to be a site plan or architectural rendering of Methacton High School, showing various proposed renovations and additions to the existing campus, including a new pool, auditorium, and parking areas.

Future Projects

Future projects are expected to occur roughly 10 years from now and will focus on completing or replacing the core components in the remaining sections of the existing structure as well as addressing additional site and building matters. It’s important to note that some portions of the remaining structure (gymnasiums and east wing) were updated less than 10 years ago.

A multi-story brick building with a landscaped lawn and trees in the foreground, set against a clear blue sky.

The Path to Renovation

In October of 2023, following the acceptance of a facilities assessment of Methacton High School, the Board of School Directors embarked on a process to address identified facility needs and respond to student, staff and community feedback about the condition of the facility and campus at that time. That process began with considering new construction concepts based on the feedback from within the school community.

In February of 2025, after thorough financial analysis and due diligence, the Methacton Board of School Directors paused on moving forwards to the next phase of the new Methacton High School campus project to reassess our approach to addressing facility needs. The projected cost had escalated from an estimated $170 million to $213 million, posing unsustainable fiscal risk, including potential annual deficits of $3–8 million within five years. Therefore, the Board determined that a full rebuild of the high school and campus was not financially viable at that time.

While our facility needs remained urgent, our commitment to educational excellence demanded a more fiscally responsible path. As such, the Board of School Directors dediced to move forward with exploring alternative renovation solutions that prioritize student and staff needs without compromising Methacton’s long-term financial health.

The work to date has provided valuable insights—especially regarding educational space needs—that will inform a more strategic, cost-effective plan moving forward. The district continues to collaborate with our design partners, CHA and Schrader Group, to develop solutions that support safety, accessibility, and modern learning environments.

This decision reflects our obligation to both students and taxpayers: to deliver high-impact outcomes while safeguarding the district’s financial future.

Sequence of Events

2018 - Moore Engineering conducts Heating/Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) and humidity evaluation of all school buildings
2020 - High School Heating/Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) project scope developed with bid at $9.3M (placed on hold to address Eagleville Elementary School)
2022 - High School HVAC project re-developed with additional scope (chiller/boiler) projected at $25M
2023 - Accepted Updated Facilities Assessment with Conditions Report
2023 - Issued call for participation on the Methacton High School Campus Planning Committee (MHSCPC) to gather input
2024 - February - Planning Committee issued report and presented pre-conceptual new construction scenarios
2024 - Developed new construction concepts and associated costs
2025 - January - Updated new construction costs approaching $220M
2025 - March - Board votes to pivot towards seeking renovation options
2025 - April - Board establishes priorities to address under renovation
2025 - August - Board is presented with four renovation options
2025 - October - Board votes to move to Schematic Design phase
2026 - February - Board votes to move to Design Development phase

Subsections

Presentations

Archive of previous phases

Key Dates & Events

Check back soon for upcoming dates

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