By Kolby LaMarche

After years of planning, some setbacks, and steady progress, the construction of Burlington High School’s new campus is on the verge of wrapping up, promising a “state-of-the-art” learning environment for coming generations. 

The 255,000-square-foot facility, set to open in fall 2026, represents Vermont’s first major new-build high school in decades.

The project, officially the Burlington High School and Burlington Technical Center (BHS/BTC), broke ground in March 2023 on Institute Road in the city’s New North End, at the site of the old high school.

This site replaces the original campus, which was shuttered in 2020 after state regulators discovered elevated levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)—a toxic chemical once used in building materials. The discovery forced an abrupt relocation to a temporary space in a former Macy’s department store downtown, where about 1,600 students have endured cramped conditions and makeshift facilities for five years.

Voters paved the way for this transformation in November 2022, approving a $165 million bond by a resounding 72% to 23% margin. 

The total project cost was estimated at $190 million, covering demolition, new construction, and sustainable features. Designed by a collaborative team including Freeman French Freeman, Colin Lindberg & Associates, and Drummey Rosane Anderson, the four-story building emphasizes flexibility, accessibility, and environmental stewardship. 

It will house 79 teaching areas, most with natural light and views of an enclosed outdoor courtyard. For half a decade now, students have been left essentially windowless in the downtown Macy’s building. 

At the heart of the design is a two-story student commons that doubles as a cafeteria, community hub, and entry to a 750-seat auditorium and oversized gymnasium. 

A modern learning commons—essentially an upgraded library—will support group projects and quiet study with cutting-edge technology. 

Decentralized faculty offices ensure constant adult supervision, while smaller breakout spaces encourage informal learning. The technical center will integrate career and technical education, with labs for hands-on skills in trades and sciences.

Sustainability is a cornerstone, the district says. The fully electric building relies on ground-source heat pumps for heating and cooling, powered by rooftop solar panels and renewable energy from the Burlington Electric Department. 

High-efficiency mechanical systems promise superior indoor air quality, and the project targets LEED certification. Stormwater management includes a tiered filtration system west of the athletic fields, funded in part by nearly $2 million in state grants from the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation. This setup will slow runoff, filter sediments, and protect nearby wetlands and Lake Champlain.

Construction milestones have kept the project on track despite hurdles. Demolition of the old structure wrapped up early in the process, followed by concrete foundation pouring and steel erection. 

The latest update brought even better news: The project is $6 million under budget. 

Originally slated to borrow the full $165 million, the district now anticipates needing just $159 million, thanks to efficient management by general contractor Whiting-Turner Contracting Company and cost-saving measures tested during design phases. “It’s very exciting news to hear that they’re under budget,” Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak said in a recent interview. “I continue to talk to BHS students, and they’re extremely excited for the opening of this high school next fall. And for the community, it’s a very important investment for our next generation.”

This fiscal prudence comes amid broader enhancements to the campus. A separate track and field renovation, funded without additional bonding through prior savings, is nearly complete and set to open in spring 2026. 

The fields have remained accessible during construction, and the new complex will include improved turf and facilities for Seahawk athletes – a partnership between Burlington and South Burlington school districts. 

For students, the new school can’t come soon enough. 

Current facilities in the downtown Macy’s space lack the auditorium, full gym, and specialized labs of a traditional high school, limiting extracurriculars and vocational training. Recent walkthroughs show open spaces flooded with light through expansive windows, evoking a collegiate atmosphere. Indoor bike parking nods to Burlington’s bike-friendly culture and nearby bike path and community-accessible gym hours will extend the building’s reach beyond school hours.

The journey hasn’t been without delays. PCB remediation extended timelines, pushing the substantial completion date to April 2026 and move-in by July. 

Asbestos discoveries in the foundation last summer added weeks, but the team fast-tracked where possible. Despite these, officials remain confident in the fall opening, with final testing and commissioning underway.