Jefferson Modernization
The new Jefferson High School will be an all-electric multi-story building on the north side of the campus on Killingsworth. The new building will include state-of-the-art academic, athletic and arts facilities. Other highlights include a new Jefferson theater, dance studios, a student-based health center, centrally located student commons and a new teen parent center.
The track and field will be relocated to the site of the current structure, including new grandstands. There will also be a brand new softball field and baseball/soccer multiuse field in the south fields.
Project Updates
March 2026: Permitting and construction preparation work is underway for a late spring start to construction on the softball and baseball/soccer multiuse fields. The design team is working through detailed design ideas and program requirements.
Construction
0% complete
Softball and baseball/soccer multiuse fields
Start (estimated): Late spring 2026
Complete (estimated): December 2026
New building construction
Start (estimated): Spring 2027
Complete and student instruction begins (estimated): Fall 2029
New Track, Football Field, & Grandstands
Start (estimated): Fall 2029
Complete (estimated): Summer 2030
Student Impacts
Students will remain on-site as the new building is constructed in place of the current track and field.
- Students will be completely separated from construction zones. Construction zone access will be controlled. Construction travel routes and deliveries will be separated from students.
- Construction is being phased to minimize impact on the learning environment.
- Protocols such as dust control, debris management and designated hoisting zones will maintain a clean and orderly campus.
- Portland Public Schools and the Colas Hoffman construction team will maintain communication with school leadership to ensure daily operations remain predictable.
- Some Athletic events will be relocated during different phases of construction. More information will be provided by Athletics when available.
Community Impacts
Construction is expected to take place during daytime hours. Neighbors may hear construction noise during work hours. The project team will maintain communication with nearby residents as needed.
Some construction traffic is expected around the school site. Expect intermittent delays, particularly along Commercial Avenue, for construction traffic.
Expect intermittent pedestrian detours on sidewalks surrounding the school for various construction activities.
Project Timeline
Schedules are subject to change
January-Spring 2026
We will complete the project design, and continue working on documentation, permitting and construction preparation.
Spring-December 2026
We will build the new softball and baseball/soccer multiuse fields.
December 2026-Spring 2027
The track and field will be deconstructed in preparation for construction on the new building
Spring 2027-Summer 2029
Construction on the new building will be underway. Students will remain on-site at the current building through the completion of construction.
Fall 2029
The new building opens and instruction begins. Less impactful final work may continue on the new building.
Fall 2029-2030
We will deconstruct the existing JHS building and build the track, field and grandstands in its place.
Community Engagement
Upcoming Public Meetings
Community Information Session
6-8 p.m. April 1, 2026
Jefferson High School Cafeteria
Previous Engagement Opportunities
- Jefferson Community Design Workshops and Community Information Sessions
- Jefferson Design Advisory Group (DAG)
- Jefferson Comprehensive Planning Committee (CPC)
- Jefferson Town Halls
- Jefferson Conceptual Master Planning Committee (CMPC)
Jefferson Community Design Workshops and Community Information Sessions
The Jefferson Modernization Project currently holds regular Community Design Workshops (CDW) and Community Information Sessions (CIS). The team expanded its outreach beyond the Design Advisory Group (DAG) to engage the broader community during the design phase. The DAG sessions were replaced with CDW and CIS sessions to provide an opportunity for more inclusive community participation in the project.
- May 7, 2024 - Community Meeting Presentation
- April 25, 2024 - Meeting Presentation Boards
- April 9, 2024 - Community Meeting Presentation
- October 30, 2024 - Meeting Summary
- October 30, 2024 - Presentation Materials
- October 30, 2024 - Conceptual Walkthrough Video
- August 14, 2024 - Presentation Materials
- August 14, 2024 - Meeting Summary
- July 17, 2024 - Presentation Materials
- July 17, 2024 - Meeting Minutes
Jefferson Design Advisory Group (DAG)
The Jefferson High School Design Advisory Group met regularly during early design phases and included students, teachers, alumni, industry professionals, parents, school programs, potential site and/or capital partners, school administration and a school board representative. This group provided feedback on design and options proposed by the project team in an advisory capacity.
DAG Meeting Presentations
- DAG #1 Presentation
- DAG #1 Presentation with public comments
- DAG #2 Presentation & meeting record
- DAG #3 Tubman relocation discussion meeting notes
View the DAG Charter
Jefferson Comprehensive Planning Committee (CPC)
The Jefferson Comprehensive Planning Committee (CPC) was a group of school and community stakeholder representatives who worked together to help provide feedback for the Jefferson Comprehensive Plan.
Jefferson (CPC) Documents
- Jefferson CPC Charter
- Jefferson CPC Code of Conduct
- Jefferson CPC Selection Criteria
- Jefferson CPC Schedule
Jefferson Town Hall Recordings
- Town Hall #7 Presentation (Nov 2, 2022)
- Town Hall #7 Livestream
- Town Hall #6 Livestream
- Town Hall #5 Livestream
- Q&A from Town Hall #5
- Town Hall #4 Livestream
- Town Hall #3 Presentation
- Town Hall #2 Presentation
- Town Hall #1 Virtual Meeting
- Q&A from Town Hall #1
Jefferson Town Halls
- Jefferson Modernization town hall #7 Presentation Nov 2nd 2022
- Jefferson Modernization town hall #7 LiveStream Nov 2nd 2022
- Jefferson Modernization town hall #6 LiveStream Oct 12th 2022
- Jefferson Modernization town hall #5 LiveStream Sept 21st 2022
- Public Questions and Answers from the Sept 21st 2022 Town Hall
- Jefferson Modernization town hall #4 LiveStream Aug 24th 2022
- Jefferson Modernization town hall #3 Presentation June 15th 2022
- Jefferson Modernization town hall #2 Presentation May 17th 2022
- Jefferson Modernization Town Hall virtual meeting #1 March 29, 2022
- Public Questions and Answers from the Jefferson March 29th, 2022 Town Hall
Jefferson Conceptual Master Planning Committee (CMPC)
The Jefferson Conceptual Master Planning Committee (CMPC) was a group of school and community stakeholder representatives who worked together to help provide feedback for the Jefferson master plan, which informed 2020 Bond Planning.
View the CMPC charter here | Español | Tiếng Việt | Soomaali
View the CMPC member Code of Conduct | Español
Jefferson CMPC #1 Mtg Minutes & presentation 10-14-19
Jefferson CMPC #2 Mtg Minutes & presentation 10-24-19
More Information
Meet the Design and Construction Teams
Design Team
Bora Architecture & Interiors and LEVER Architects have teamed up for the Jefferson High School Project. This dynamic partnership brings an unmatched, long-term commitment to North/Northeast Portland. Bora has deep K-12 experience and a strong history of successful projects with PPS, and is a national leader in the design of performing arts spaces. LEVER, based in the Jefferson neighborhood, has recently completed the Meyer Memorial Trust Headquarters. The firms are committed to the creation of a vibrant, sustainable, and resilient high school that reflects the values and aspirations of the community.
Construction Team
Aligned to Deliver Jefferson High School The Colas Hoffman team is unified in purpose, grounded in community, and designed to integrate seamlessly with PPS, Bora and LEVER's established collaborative culture. We’re not bringing two separate firms — we show up as one team, with shared systems, shared leadership, and shared responsibility. Every individual listed on the organization chart is not only highly qualified, but hand-selected for their proven ability to co-lead complex education projects, represent the values of inclusion and care, and build with, not just for, the Jefferson community.
Jefferson Project History
In late 2019, after a series of public meetings over a four-month period, a Jefferson High School Conceptual Comprehensive Plan was completed as part of the planning effort for the 2020 Bond. This conceptual plan was used as the starting point for the new Jefferson Modernization Comprehensive Plan.
In November of 2020, the passage of the 2020 School Improvement Bond provided funding for both design and construction for the modernization of the historic school. What followed was a two-year planning process with extensive community engagement.
In December of 2022 the School Board approved Jefferson comprehensive plan that would extensively renovate the original 1909 building while adding new facilities around it. This $366 Million plan had students & staff staying on site during construction.
In Summer 2023 new construction cost analysis of the plan revealed that seismically upgrading the original 4 story unreinforced masonry building while keeping students on site would greatly exceed the project budget. PPS briefly looked at moving the students & staff to the Marshall campus during construction but many in the Jefferson community opposed this plan.
December 2023: Board Calls for Reassessment
In December 2023, the School Board called for a full reassessment of the Jefferson modernization plans with the following criteria: Keep students & staff largely on the Jefferson campus during construction. Include a targeted student enrollment of 1,700. Demolish the 1909 building and build a new building.
April 2, 2024: New Plan Presented
On April 2nd 2024 the Project Team presented the Board a new plan with an all new Jefferson High building to be constructed at the North end of the campus. This new plan would have cost $491 Million.
December 2024: Redesign Direction
In December, 2024 Superintendent Kimberlee Armstrong asked the Office of School Modernization (OSM) to find a smarter, more cost-efficient approach to deliver high-quality learning environments for students for the high school modernizations at Cleveland, Jefferson, and Ida B Wells. The projects went on hold as project teams looked toward design changes that would fulfill that direction.
February 11, 2025: Design Restart Approved
On February 11 2025, the PPS Board of Education unanimously approved a plan to restart the design process on the Cleveland, Jefferson, and Ida B Wells high school modernizations focusing on right-sizing each school to maximize resources while maintaining strong programming.
April 22, 2025: Final Cost Reduction Update
On April 22 2025, the project team provided an update of the Jefferson Comprehensive Plan to the Board as the final update on cost reduction efforts. With the reductions mandated by the Board directives and efficiency adjustments made to the floor plan by the design team, the project is projected to save approximately $25M–$35M.
Get Connected
For more information about school building improvement bond projects, email schoolmodernization@pps.net or call us at 503-916-2222