by City of Maricopa Economic and Community Development Department
The last few years have been extremely kind to one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation. The City of Maricopa has seen a boom in its recent housing development, approving approximately 300 new housing permits every month over the last year and with it, an influx of new families and educational needs.
More than 2,000 students currently attend Maricopa High School, which prompted the school facilities board to approve over $22 million for a highly anticipated second high school that broke ground on May 7, 2021.
The Maricopa Unified School District had specific goals for this new facility to ensure flexibility, quality, and future campus growth. Built on over 125,000-square-feet of space, the school’s design includes multiple-story classroom buildings, football and practice fields with artificial turf, grandstands and bleachers, a fully functioning gymnasium with wood floors, and junior varsity baseball and softball fields.
Plans for expansion already have been considered and include a complete football stadium as well as a competition running track.
MUSD Superintendent Dr. Tracey Lopeman points to the commitment of builders Chasse Building Team: “Our construction partners have maximized every dollar to ensure our second high school is delivered on time and within budget, consistent with the Governing Board’s philosophy and expectation. This outside-the-box strategy saved the district hundreds of thousands of dollars, and the trees will be recycled with zero waste. It is a win-win strategy that demonstrates fiscal management and responsible usage of natural resources.”
The new high school is set to accommodate nearly 1,400 new students in time for the fall 2022 school year. Additional expansion plans can increase capacity by more than 50%, which will make this the biggest high school in the city.
