MHS Construction: What's Next?

Building the Future:  How Metuchen High School’s Renovations are Changing Student Life

For decades, Metuchen High School’s 1958 building served generations of students. Now, following a successful bond referendum, the school is undergoing major renovations that won’t just update the building, but change how students learn, move, and experience school every day. While Construction may just seem like a background process, its impact is already being felt across classrooms, hallways, and athletic fields.

What’s Been Done So Far?

One of the most visible changes is the installation of the new synthetic turf field and running track, completed in the summer of 2024. For student-athletes, physical education classes, and after-school activities, the upgraded field represents more consistent access and safer playing conditions. Beyond athletics, much of the work has focused on modernizing the school’s infrastructure. Roofs, windows, doors, and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems have been replaced or upgraded, addressing long-standing issues in the aging building.

The Updated Floor Plan of the High School | Source: Board of Education

A School in Transition

Currently, Metuchen High School exists in a state of transition - partly old, and partly new. While some areas reflect the original design of the classrooms, others showcase updated technology, improved lighting, and more functional learning spaces. Metuchen High School’s transformation is not its first moment of change. The school’s roots trace back more than two centuries to the Old Franklin Schoolhouse, built in 1807 on Middlesex Avenue. As the borough’s first public school, the one-room building served students for over 60 years, laying the foundation for public education among the community. The Franklin School Legacy continued with the 1909 Franklin School, which housed the first graduating class of Metuchen High School. The current high school building, constructed in 1958, was just another major shift in the town’s educational history. Our current school has greatly evolved today, as described by Mr. Porowski, “Since then, MHS has seen many major construction projects. Between 2005 and 2008, Metuchen High School had undergone a modernization project that included renovations of classrooms, building of the Wellness Center, and the installation of the original turf field. In 2019, MHS expanded with the addition of two new state-of-the-art science labs– rooms 197 (Chemistry Lab) and 218 (Biology, Environmental Science, and Chemistry Lab). And now, we are nearing the completion of our latest construction project.” Today, the Old Franklin Schoolhouse still stands as a historic site, hosting community events and welcoming students to learn about Metuchen’s past. As Metuchen High School undergoes modernization, the preserved schoolhouse serves as a reminder that while buildings change, the community’s commitment to education remains constant.

What’s Coming Next

The town has partnered with Spiezle Group, Inc. to help execute the construction of the new aspects of the school. The renovation plans include several new additions, such as a new building with an additional gymnasium and classrooms, as well as a second cafeteria. Mr. Porowski explained, “We will have six new full-size classrooms and one small group instruction space that will give us the opportunity to better organize our available spaces throughout the school day while also giving some traveling teachers a home base. These instructional spaces will have flexible seating, as well as state-of-the-art SMART Boards.” This new floor plan reflects a shift towards collaboration rather than rigid instruction. 

Impact on Learning and Daily Life

For students, the effects of construction will go beyond new walls and floors. The input of air conditioning into classrooms is also an addition that students and teachers alike are increasingly excited about. The summer at school with stagnant air is brutal, and having to focus in such conditions is incredibly unproductive for the students. Mr. Porowski delved into the true impact day-to-day impact of these improvements, “By accomplishing this project, we will have improved learning conditions and student health by expanding instructional and community-based spaces that are climate controlled. We will have increased capacity and flexibility for our programming needs within the school. Space will help us adjust our master schedule and address the need for expansion based on enrollment growth.” These small changes may seem insignificant, but they will directly affect students’ ability to focus and feel comfortable during long school days.

Looking Ahead

With the funding for a $28 million bond referendum passing in 2022, these renovations were completed in phases over the past few years to minimize disruption. As this project nears its imminent completion, students have been observing their school evolve in real-time. Reflecting on the construction process, Mr. Porowski said, “I’m grateful for the Metuchen Community’s ongoing support of each of our schools, but especially for their support of Metuchen High School. Our staff and students consistently demonstrate excellence across academics, athletics, performing arts, and community outreach. I’m proud of our partnership and celebrate the fact that we all believe that here at MHS, “Yesterday Built Us, Today Drives Us, Tomorrow Awaits.” Metuchen High School’s construction isn’t just about updating the building; it’s about shaping the lives of students inside it. From classrooms to the field, these changes are redefining what it means to learn, connect, and grow at MHS.