Cleveland Modernization

The new Cleveland High School will feature two four-story primary wings linked by a skybridge– a northern academic wing for classrooms and labs, and a southern wing dedicated to performing arts and events. A secure, dynamic outdoor courtyard acts as the heart of the campus, providing a vibrant gathering space for students to access outdoor study and performance areas during the school day.

New facilities include a performing arts theater, a black box theater, two new gymnasiums, and dedicated dance and wrestling studios. A new, welcoming main entrance will be established on SE 28th Avenue, with separate after-hours access for community-use spaces like the theater and gym. Modernization plans include a Student Health Center. Athletic fields at Powell Park will be upgraded in coordination with Portland Parks. The stadium track and field will also be improved.

The structure will be a highly energy-efficient, all-electric building capable of generating its own solar power.

Project Updates

June 2026: We are getting closer to finishing design work. We are working on permitting and construction preparation for a July start to construction.

Join us:

Groundbreaking Ceremony
Friday, June 12, 2026
Cleveland High School
Franklin Street Entrance
Ceremony begins: 1 p.m.

Neighborhood Construction Impacts Meeting
June 11, 2026
6-7 p.m.
Cleveland High School Cafeteria

Design

80% Complete

See the latest designs

Construction

0% Complete

Demolition start (estimated): July 2026
New building construction start (estimated): Winter 2027
Athletic fields construction finish (estimated): Fall 2028
New building construction finish (estimated): Fall 2029

Student Impacts
Construction Impacts

Student Impacts

Construction Impacts

See the construction site map.

Construction Staging

The parking lot off of 26th Avenue will be used for contractor parking and staging starting in July 2026
The Cleveland High School track and field will be used for contractor parking and staging starting in fall 2026.
Work will require the use of a large crane. Loads will not be carried over surrounding properties.

Transportation and Parking

Construction traffic and intermittent delays around the site are expected. Care is being taken to limit impacts to Powell Boulevard and to reduce construction vehicles on all surrounding streets.
Flaggers may be present intermittently on all sides of the site, especially:
Loading zones off of 26th and 28th avenues
Franklin Street between 26th and 28th avenues
Sidewalks adjacent to the site will be closed. Follow pedestrian detours.
Bus stops adjacent to the site on 26th Avenue may be relocated
The bike lane on 28th Avenue may be redirected during construction. Follow signed detours or lane shifts.
Street parking surrounding the site will be limited during working hours.

Noise and Vibration

Neighbors may hear construction noise during regular daytime work hours.
Noise and vibration will be measured to ensure it is within standard and city noise ordinance rules.
The project team will maintain communication with nearby residents as needed.

Security, Health and Safety

Cameras and security personnel will monitor the construction site around the clock to prevent trespassing, vandalism and theft.
Dust control, debris management and designated hoisting zone protocols will be used.

Project Timeline

Schedules are subject to change

January-July 2026
We will complete the project design, and continue work on permitting and construction preparation.

July-December 2026
We will deconstruct the existing structure and prepare the site for construction.

We will preserve the educational continuity of our community by transitioning students to the Marshall Campus.

January 2027-Summer 2029
Construction on the new building will be underway. Students will remain at the Marshall Campus through the completion of construction.

Fall 2026–Fall 2028
Construction on improvements to athletic facilities will take place.

Fall 2029
The new building opens and instruction begins.

Community Engagement

Upcoming Public Meetings

Groundbreaking Ceremony
Friday, June 12, 2026
Cleveland High School
Franklin Street Entrance
Ceremony begins: 1 p.m.

Neighborhood Construction Impacts Meeting
June 11, 2026
6-7 p.m.
Cleveland High School Cafeteria

Cleveland Design Advisory Group (DAG)

The Cleveland High School Design Advisory Group meets regularly during the design phase and includes students, teachers, alumni, industry professionals, parents, school programs, potential site and/or capital partners, school administration and a school board representative. This group is involved in developing the design of the new Cleveland High School by providing feedback on design details and options proposed by the project team. DAG members perform in an advisory role only. Decisions on project details are the responsibility of PPS in collaboration with other District leadership.

Meeting materials

DAG Charter

DAG Code of Conduct

Previous Engagement Opportunities

Cleveland Design Option Public Survey (2024)

As part of the community engagement effort, PPS conducted a survey for the Cleveland Modernization Project. The survey asked which of two design options was favored for the modernization:

Plan A – Build an all-new Cleveland High School.

Plan B – Keep and renovate only the 1929 structure and build new facilities around it.

A total of 1,413 people responded to the survey with 81% in support of building an all-new Cleveland High School. Current CHS and feeder school students made up 40% of respondents, and they overwhelmingly support an all-new building. The main reasons people cited were that all new construction provides better educational options for teachers and students and more outdoor open space for the school and community.

Those who wanted to preserve the 1929 building expressed the importance of preserving historic buildings even though they pose some challenges for future use. Some expressed concern about what the loss of the historic building would mean for the neighborhood and the community. View the survey summary.

Cleveland Comprehensive Planning Committee (2022)

The Cleveland Comprehensive Planning Committee (CPC) was a group of school and community stakeholder representatives who worked together to help provide feedback for the Cleveland Comprehensive Plan. The Committee includes parents, teachers, students, alumni, PPS staff and partners, community representatives and a school board member.

Cleveland (CPC) Documents

Cleveland (CPC) Meeting information

CHS Design Workshop Materials

Cleveland Conceptual Master Planning (2019)

Cleveland CMPC #1 Meeting Minutes & Presentation (10-9-19)

Cleveland CMPC #2 Meeting Minutes & Presentation (10-23-19)

Cleveland CMPC #2 Locations_Ideas survey (10-23-19)

Cleveland CMPC #3 Meeting Minutes & Presentation (11-6-19)

Cleveland CMPC #4 Meeting Minutes (12-10-19)

Español |Tiếng Việt | Русский | Soomaali | 中文

View the CMPC charter here | Español | Soomaali | 中文

View the CMPC member Code of Conduct | Español

Cleveland at Marshall Campus

Cleveland students and staff will attend school on the Marshall Campus from fall 2026 to spring 2029 while the modernized Cleveland High School is constructed. During the planning for the voter approved bond measure, Marshall Campus was selected as the best site to serve as the temporary home for Cleveland. Cleveland’s great staff, teachers and programs will remain the same.

What can my student expect at the Marshall Campus?

Marshall Campus’s facilities will be an instant upgrade for Cleveland students, staff and families. Marshall is well-maintained and features large, light-filled classrooms, a spacious inner courtyard, a full cafeteria, auditorium, gymnasium and library.

An upgraded, lighted track and field will be ready for students when they arrive at Marshall Campus.

How will students get to the Marshall Campus?

Cleveland students will be able to use both free public transportation and private transportation to reach the Marshall Campus at 3905 SE 91st Ave.

Public transportation
Portland Public Schools does not provide regular yellow school bus service to most high schools in the District. All students are eligible for a free student transit pass.

Transportation time is estimated to be under an hour from Cleveland students’ front doors to the front door of the school, even for those who live the furthest from Marshall Campus.

Learn about TriMet schedules

Driving, Dropoff and Carpooling
Access to the campus is off of 92nd Ave just south of Powell Blvd, with an easy to access drop off route at the entrance to the school. We encourage parents and students to carpool.

Parking is available on campus and will be prioritized for staff. Student parking will be first come, first served.

SPED Bus Service
All special education students currently receiving PPS transportation will continue to do so. Yellow bus service for special education students does not change.

Bicycle Access
Marshall Campus has numerous covered bike racks for students and staff.

Neighborhood greenways are low-traffic streets that prioritize people who walk, bicycle and roll and connect neighborhoods, parks and schools. East-west greenways near Marshall Campus include SE Center Street and SE Woodward Street. Nearby north-south greenways include 78th, 79th, 80th and 87th avenues. Cyclists should use their best judgement in finding bike-friendly connections to greenways and campus.

Research bike-friendly routes to Marshall Campus

Biketown is available for individuals who are 16 or older. Some students may be eligible for free memberships through the Biketown for All program.

What does this mean for athletics and extracurriculars?

Most athletics will be relocated to the fields and gymnasium at Marshall Campus. Track and field upgrades will be complete in time for the start of instruction in fall 2026. Learn more.

Performing arts and other extracurricular activities will also be relocated to Marshall Campus. The campus’s academic spaces, auditorium, gymnasium, library and courtyard will provide suitable space and resources.

What is being done to prepare Marshall Campus for Cleveland students?

Upgrade work at Marshall Campus is being completed to accommodate the needs of the staff and students, such as roof repairs, athletic improvements, creation of a black box theater, student health center and classroom modifications.

Will I still be able to access my Student Health Center?

Yes. The Cleveland Student Health Center will be at Marshall and will have all the same medical and behavioral health services and staff. Learn more.

Check out Marshall Campus with us!

Want to see Marshall Campus for yourself? 8th grade students will take a field trip to tour the campus during the spring semester. We will also host a Community Open House for students, families and community members. Keep an eye out for dates!

Honoring CHS’s History

An all-new structure is being constructed as part of the Cleveland Modernization. We carefully considered preserving all or part of Cleveland’s exterior throughout the planning and design process, beginning in 2019. This process involved frequent and meaningful engagement with the Cleveland community, alumni representatives, the Design Advisory Group, students, families and staff.

Community members expressed a desire for an approach that retained historic character to some degree, though they ultimately prioritized factors that could only be achieved through new construction. Cleveland community values included staying on budget, optimizing indoor spaces for better teacher, student and staff experiences, creating welcoming and accessible outdoor open spaces, and building a resilient, energy efficient school.

In recognition of Cleveland High School’s significance, we are engaging with various organizations to identify appropriate mitigation strategies, including the CHS Alumni Association, the State of Oregon Historic Preservation Office, the Architectural Heritage Center, and the City of Portland Historic Landmarks Commission.

We are also taking action to document and reuse various historic elements of the existing structure:

We are working with the City of Portland’s Commercial Deconstruction Pilot Grants program
The project will use salvaged materials from the current structure on the Franklin Street-facing side of a wall that will honor Clevleand’s historical significance
The historic Cleveland Kimball Theater Organ will be removed and stored by trained specialists. We are seeking a new home for the organ.

More Information

Meet the Design and Construction Teams

Meet the Design and Construction Teams

Design Team

Mahlum is the lead architect for the Cleveland High School Modernization. Deeply rooted in the Pacific Northwest, Mahlum creates spaces that express the culture, aspirations and identity of the communities they serve, distinctively honoring the character of each K-12 school they design. They designed the recently modernized Grant High School.

Studio Petretti Architecture, a COBID-certified Women Business Enterprise, is a Portland-based architecture and interior design studio focused on civic and educational projects. They are motivated by opportunities to help public institutions create quality spaces that are welcoming and responsive to the people they serve. SPA designed the Harrison Park Middle School modernization and is a design partner to Mahlum for the Cleveland High School Modernization.

Construction Team

Skanska uses knowledge and foresight to shape the way people live, work, and connect. More than 135 years in the making, we’re one of the world’s largest construction and development companies. As an Oregon builder for over 50 years, our expertise covers a wide range of market sectors, including education, healthcare, aviation, high-tech manufacturing and data centers. Our K-12 builders prioritize student safety and well-being, operational efficiency, sustainability and community value—combining local market knowledge with national best practices to deliver modern, resilient educational facilities on time and on budget.

Get Connected

For more information about school building improvement bond projects, email schoolmodernization@pps.net or call us at 503-916-2222