On Nov. 8, 2022, Union County voters ignited a thrilling new chapter for Union County Public Schools (UCPS) by approving a $134 million bond referendum. This decision paved the way for a promising future as it provided the funding for building new schools for East Elementary and Forest Hills High. Slated to open in the fall of 2025, these cutting-edge schools are not just buildings—they are the foundation for a brighter future, designed to spark innovation, creativity and excellence in every student.
The momentum is visible as construction charges ahead, turning visionary plans into tangible, state-of-the-art learning environments. Superintendent Dr. Andrew Houlihan, UCPS leadership, Board of Education members, and Union County government staff recently toured the construction sites. They observed the remarkable progress, offering a glimpse into the dynamic future that will impact the entire community.
“Seeing the transformation of these facilities is truly inspiring,” said Dr. Houlihan. “These new schools represent our commitment to providing the best possible learning environment for our students.”
East Elementary
At East Elementary, the future is rising before our eyes. The new two-story building is rapidly taking shape, now fully enclosed and buzzing with activity. Inside, crews are meticulously crafting the heart of what will soon be a hub of learning and discovery, with electrical wiring, plumbing and HVAC system installations.
Designed for innovation, the new school will feature open, collaborative spaces to enhance student learning. The new state-of-the-art health science lab is a prime example of how the school will better prepare students for future jobs. Building on the success of the curriculum, the enhanced lab offers more advanced, hands-on experiences that deepen students' understanding of health sciences and broaden their exposure to various careers.
The larger hallways are designed for interactive learning, turning corridors into dynamic educational spaces. These expanded areas support collaborative projects and hands-on activities, allowing students to engage in creative learning experiences beyond the classroom, creating a more immersive and flexible environment.
Principal Denny Ferguson could hardly contain his enthusiasm. “Our students and staff are eagerly anticipating the move. The new facility will offer many more opportunities for innovative teaching and learning. Some of the features I’m excited about are the shared space between the gym, the cafeteria, and the auditorium. I'm thinking about all the things we can do in there with our families. Loving the size of the classrooms and the addition of a pre-k building.”
One of the features for younger students is the integration of bathrooms directly into the classrooms for pre-k through first grade, ensuring a safe and secure environment while allowing teachers to focus on what matters most—nurturing young minds. The Exceptional Children (EC) classrooms are equally impressive, equipped with dedicated restrooms, showers and full handicap accessibility.
Forest Hills High
Over at Forest Hills High, the new campus is a two-story building offering upgraded technology and a more modern environment for students and teachers. The steel framework is complete, and crews are working diligently to bring this vision to life, installing the roof and exterior walls.
It features cutting-edge science labs that will ignite students' passion for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), a spacious media center that will become a hub of knowledge and creativity and an auxiliary gym that creates additional space for practice, physical education classes and smaller events.
A standout feature capturing everyone’s imagination is the "stairatorium"—a dynamic staircase that effortlessly converts into an auditorium seating area. This remarkable design enhances the school's functionality by offering a versatile space that supports many activities, from student gatherings and performances to presentations and community events.
Beyond its practical uses, the stairatorium builds a vibrant sense of community and engagement, creating a unique, interactive environment that encourages collaboration. It maximizes space for students and staff alike.
Adrien Porter, the Forest Hills High principal, is enthusiastic about what lies ahead. “This new campus will be a game-changer for our students and staff. The new facility will support a wide range of academic and extracurricular activities. Some differences they will experience are more space, more access to technology, new state-of-the-art classrooms for our AgTech program, welding, automotive, and robotics, creating more opportunities for our students to learn and grow.”
Looking Ahead
As construction continues, UCPS is committed to informing the community about progress with regular updates showcasing ongoing developments.
For more information and updates on the bond projects, visit the UCPS website or follow us on social media.
