When the district started talking about renovating the site, administrators saw a chance to do more than just update an old building—they decided to bring both high schools together under one roof. What began as a renovation and addition project turned into an opportunity to create a single, unified school for students and the wider community.
The updates opened up brand new collaboration spaces for both students and teachers. One standout is the Information Commons, a future-ready hub where students can check out all kinds of media and find a comfortable spot to work or hang out. To encourage even more teamwork, part of the first and second floors was opened up to create a dedicated STEM zone. This new area breaks down barriers between subjects, giving students in science, math, robotics, and engineering the space to work together and spark new ideas.
Flexible furniture lets students rearrange their classrooms for group projects or solo study, depending on what they need. And instead of filling rooms with extra desks, the district kept furniture to a minimum, making the most of their small class sizes—a point of pride for the schools.
The district had two outdated and disconnected high schools.
By combining the two high schools and renovating the commons to be the heart of the school, the student body and community were reconnected.
- New Auditorium
- New Secondary Multipurpose Practice Gymnasium
- On-Campus Weight Room
- STEM Wing and Collaboration Spaces
- Secure Entry
- Environmental Branding
Environmental graphics showcase the district’s core values and mission statement.
The iconic mascot and colors are featured throughout the building.
To connect with the past, graphics are used to chronicle history with images of various high schools built throughout the county.
Despite facing significant obstacles, including a flood-prone location and limitations on modifying existing structures, the district persevered, eventually resulting in a groundbreaking new building addition that redefined the school’s entrance and functionality.
Following successful community engagement resulting in a $200 million bond referendum, Iowa City is poised to update City High School with an addition and renovation. The project includes a new gymnasium that will have two floors, seating up to 2,000 at athletic events on all four sides. Fans will pass through a new plaza area on their way to the gym entrance.
This $33 million project, which received strong community support with a 70% approval rate, continues to move forward on schedule. The new facility will be located on the Junior/Senior High School campus, creating a more unified educational environment for the district.