Paul StinsonThe Stillwater Public Schools (SPS) Board of Education officially approved the design of a $67.6 million, two-story building that will replace its current high school. The existing high school was built in 1960 and lacks modern learning spaces. Bidding is expected to begin in June 2024, followed by construction in July.
Stillwater voters approved a $190 million bond in February to support several school district projects, including replacing the high school. The school district will demolish the SPS-owned Cimarron Plaza to make room for the school.
A major project component includes a gym with a full-size basketball court. The facility will also double as an ICC 500 tornado shelter. Other amenities include telescopic bleachers, locker rooms, audio/visual systems and scoreboards.
The campus’ first floor will have dedicated spaces for computer science, a student center and a science wing that includes a chemistry lab. A special education (SPED) wing will provide pathfinders classrooms and vocational labs. The school will centralize faculty and staff administration and guidance services into a combined space.
Other planned areas include a family and consumer sciences component featuring a culinary classroom. The facility will also include presentation rooms outfitted with next-gen screens, kitchen support spaces and a visual arts section equipped with sculpture and painting labs.
The building’s second floor will feature wings for social studies, math, world languages and English Language Arts (ELA). Plans also call for a media center/library.
The project will develop a loading dock, a pickup/drop-off loop and parking lots for staff, students, visitors and buses. The high school will emphasize natural lighting for indoor spaces and include multiple outdoor courtyards for learning and recreation.
There are four potential alternative additions still being considered, according to the project’s design firm. These include more west parking lot spaces, two additional classrooms, 10 electric vehicle charging stations and security glazing film around entry vestibules.
