Photo by Richard Hurd
Phase 2 of MMSD’s Facilities Referendum Projects Now Underway
MADISON, Wis.—The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) has officially launched the planning process for Phase 2 of its facilities referendum projects, which will invest more than $500 million in improvements across 10 schools and seven sites.
Phase 2 projects include Orchard Ridge Elementary/Akira R. Toki Middle, Cherokee Heights Middle and Ray F. Sennett Middle schools. Similar to Phase 1, all Phase 2 projects will be entirely new buildings that replace the existing facilities with modern, flexible learning environments designed to both meet the needs of today’s students and support future growth.
“We are excited to continue this important work, which will benefit our students for years to come,” said Scott Chehak, senior executive director of building services. “As we move forward, we remain committed to completing these projects on time and on budget.
Concept Overview
All concepts and renderings are preliminary and subject to change.
Orchard Ridge’s/Toki’s concept is “Connect to Nature.” The new building will occupy the northwest corner of the site, with classrooms and a common space that back up to the school forest, which is anticipated to be unimpacted by the construction.
The Cherokee Heights concept, “Nestled into Landscape,” nods to the layout of the school’s proposed setting in the site’s hillside and amongst its mature oak trees, with a new common space situated between the primary and ancillary education wings and the gymnasium.
The Sennett concept is called “HS Axis,” referencing the new building being located on a vertical axis with its site partner, Robert M. La Follette High School. This concept features library mall green space between the buildings, designed as an area where students and staff can collaborate.
Community, student and staff feedback is essential to the design process; a staff input session at Cherokee Heights Middle School kicked off the Phase 2 work. Additional sessions for staff and the community will take place throughout the fall for the other Phase 2 projects.
Phase 1 work—which includes Sherman Middle School/Malcolm Shabazz City High School and Samuel Gompers Elementary School/Black Hawk Middle School—continues to move forward and remains on track to break ground in the late winter/early spring of 2026. Phase 2 projects will follow no later than early 2027.
Additional information can be found on the MMSD website, which is updated regularly.
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About the Madison Metropolitan School District
The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin, serving more than 25,000 students across 52 schools. The district’s vision is that every school will be a thriving school that prepares every student to graduate ready for college, career and community. With more than 6,000 teachers and staff, MMSD is committed to ensuring the district’s goals and core values are held at the center of its efforts, so students can learn, belong and thrive. For more information, visit mmsd.org.