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The new Madison High School being built under the bond program will face West Orem with a defined entrance that will integrate the new facility into the community.
“The function of the school is on display for everyone,” Bill Truitt of Morris Architects told a crowd of about 30 people, who turned out for the meeting to learn more about the $82.7 million project.
The school entrance would be flanked by a three-story academic wing to the east and performing arts and community spaces to the west. The gym and athletics area would be located to the northeast.
Truitt praised the collaborative process involving the Project Advisory Team, school leadership and HISD staff in the development of the design, which would also feature natural light and integrated technology.
“Each of us has come up with points that have made the architecture better,” Truitt said.
Learn more about the Madison HS project
Based on feedback from the meeting, the design team plans to continue to refine the entrance of the school to make it even more identifiable from the street. The two-story foyer will double as a dining commons and large gathering space.
“Since it will be another 50 years until we do this again, it has to be right for the community, as well as for the operation of the school,” said City Councilman Larry Green, who is a 1983 graduate of Madison High School.
HISD Trustee Wanda Adams said the new school will be an asset to the community and to the students. The facility’s academic wing will showcase the school’s Career & Technical Education programs, including metal working, automotive and agriculture. The different academic neighborhoods will be connected by learning commons that give students a place to study and collaborate.
Timothy Viesca graduated from Madison High School in 2014 as class valedictorian and attended the community meeting with his family to learn more about the plans. One of his brothers currently is a student and another will be soon. “It reminds me of UH,” said Viesca, who said he liked the design of the new school.
At least one more community meeting will be held before construction of the new school begins.