Stamford Breaks Ground On New $446 Million Westhill High School

STAMFORD, CT — Under blue skies and warm sunshine Tuesday afternoon, city and school officials broke ground on the new Westhill High School.

The approximately $446 million project is expected to be completed in 2029. Construction will be done in phases, so the current school can remain operational.

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Stamford's delegation to Hartford, led by state Sen. Pat Billie Miller (D-27), secured an 80 percent reimbursement rate, meaning Stamford will receive a project grant estimated at $356.8 million.

At 450,000 square feet, the school has been designed to accommodate up to 2,458 students, and will feature nearly 100 classrooms, including general education, science, special education, and specialized learning spaces designed to support the school’s many career pathway programs.

There will also be a state-of-the-art indoor pool facility and a performing arts center.

Several people spoke during the ceremony on Tuesday, and the theme of the remarks was "collaboration."

Many credited the groundbreaking milestone to working together across departments toward a common goal.

"This investment is not just in a brand new, beautiful building. This is an investment in our students' future, an investment in our teachers, an investment in our families, and an investment in our city's future," Mayor Caroline Simmons said, thanking those who helped bring the project to fruition.

"We know that when students have access to high-quality learning facilities, that that correlates with better academic outcomes and better opportunities. This is going to be a beautiful, brand new building, one of the largest, most sustainable school projects in our state's history."

Outgoing Superintendent Dr. Tamu Lucero recalled seven years ago when the school district was going through a mold crisis at SPS facilities.

"We had many debates about how to solve that problem, and we didn't know the right direction to go in," Lucero said. "But what we knew is if we sat down together around a table, and we tried to figure out what is really best for Stanford Public Schools, we could make this work."

Lucero is leaving the school district at the end of the month and will move to Nairobi, Kenya in Africa to lead an international school.

"I am just so proud to leave a legacy of wonderful new buildings for our school community," she said.

SPS Director of School Construction Katherine LoBalbo said the new school building is more than just an "aspiration."

"It's going to be an inspiration for over 100,000 students and staff that will pass through its doors and spaces and hallways over decades," she said.

Connecticut Department of Administrative Services Deputy Commissioner Eleanor Michael said the new Westhill High School is likely the largest school construction project in the history of the Nutmeg State.

The school represents important environmental and sustainability goals for CT, according to Michael, who said the new building is expected to meet or surpass LEED Silver Certification goals and is "designed in a way that's compatible with the current surrounding community environment."

"We look forward to seeing this project move from groundbreaking to ribbon-cutting, and most importantly, to seeing the students walk through the doors of their new school in 2029," Michael added.

Tuesday's ceremony also included participation from Roxbury Elementary School student ambassadors, who are expected to be among the first students to attend the new Westhill High School beginning in 2029.

Lt. Gov Susan Bysiewicz spoke briefly with the ambassadors at her side, and praised Miller for her advocacy at the state level in securing the 80 percent reimbursement rate.

"She truly is a powerhouse," Bysiewicz said of Miller.

Principal Michael Rinaldi, a graduate of WHS, said being able to watch a new high school being built on the same campus is "beyond a dream come true."

"If you asked me to write the final script of the latter part of my career, I would have never mentioned any of that, because it wouldn't seem possible," Rinaldi said.

The new school is part of a larger plan to improve school infrastructure in Stamford, said Matt Quinones, the city's director of operations. He pledged the city will remain "transparent, communicative, and responsible" throughout the process.

Quinones spoke to future Westhill students.

"This project is ultimately about you. Long after the speeches end, and the construction crews leave this site, you will be the ones to fill these classrooms and shape what this school becomes," Quinones said. "The school will belong to you, and generations of students who will follow."

Over 50 professionals across architecture, engineering, construction, and project management fields are involved in the project, including SLAM Collaborative, Amenta Emma, Colliers Project Leaders, and a joint venture between The Dimeo Construction Company and Bismark Construction Company.

For more information on Stamford’s school construction projects, visit www.spsbuilds.com.