Inside The Brand-New Grand Junction High School

Photos courtesy of Mesa County Valley School District 51

Grand Junction High School (GJHS) was built at its current location in 1956. After nearly seven decades of dedicated use from Grand Junction students and faculty, the building began to experience significant structural problems — including a sinking foundation — so the community decided that it was time for an update.

The new GJHS campus nears completion after more than two years of tireless construction and is scheduled to open in time for the first bell of the fall 2024-25 school year.

Since early 2022, construction of the new campus has been facilitated by over 250 personnel who are on-site daily. There have been no setbacks since construction began, according to Clint Garcia, the D51 chief operating officer, who says “the project is ‘on time and on budget.’” The new GJHS campus is located across the parking lot from its predecessor, and Garcia speaks highly of its future for cultivating a new environment for students that is conducive to learning and encourages them to excel.

“We’ve got a great facility that I’m proud to say is going to be a great space for our kids … [a] place for student collaboration and the creation of their best work,” he says.

One of these notable spaces is the media center, located on the second floor. It is built directly above one of the school’s common areas, which is located between the cafeteria and auditorium. Not only will the new GJHS be a large, highly modern campus, but behind the scenes, it will also have a state-of-the-art mechanical system. According to Garcia, “[It] will boast one of the most energy-efficient mechanical systems in the country.”

For many past and present GJHS students and staff, a new campus has been a long time coming. “We are grateful to the Grand Junction community for saying yes to the new Grand Junction High School,” says Garcia.

Originally published in the Summer 2024 issue of Spoke+Blossom.