MHS Campus Planning Project Journey
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.
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 $113 million, into the annual budget.
Subsections
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
- 2026 - August - Board votes to move to Construction Documentation phase
Archive of Previous Phases
- Design Development
- Schematic Design
- Renovation Feasibility & Planning
- Schematic Design (New Construction)
- Concept Design (New Construction)