Tomorrow Starts Today
Building a Brighter Future for Abington Middle School
Planning for the new Abington Middle School is now underway following the approval from voters in Abington Township and the Borough of Rockledge during the May 20 referendum!
This website was created to keep our community informed about the ongoing work to build a new Abington Middle School. Please return here for updates on the planning, design, and construction of the new school. Thank you for your interest in the project!
The Process
Timing
The Abington Middle School project is currently in the design phase. Construction of the new Middle School is estimated to start in 2027. Once the new Middle School is built, other construction projects on the Middle School campus will take place, such as restoring athletic facilities, constructing new parking, and demolishing the existing Middle School. The entire project will likely continue into the summer of 2030.
We are unable to provide a specific move-in date for the new Middle School as construction timelines can vary, but it could be as early as the start of the 2029-2030 school year.
Design
Planning work for the design of a new Abington Middle School is underway. Site surveys and geotechnical exploration have begun, and bonds to finance the project are being finalized.
The District will soon invite the community to help shape the school’s features and design, including through an online stakeholder survey. This survey will occur after the Board reviews a schematic design package, which provides details such as available building area and elevation.
Stay tuned for more information, including a ThoughtExchange survey open to the community, which will be sent through the District’s Community Listserv and posted to this website.
The Cost
The $285 million investment to build a new Abington Middle School is based on anticipated construction costs for a 345,000-square-foot middle school in the Pennsylvania market for 2026-2028.
The estimated square footage for the new building was based on several factors, including the District’s educational program, academic needs, common spaces, performing arts, fitness and wellness spaces, and space for administration, student services and other building operations.
This investment is funded by a tax increase on property owners in Abington Township and the Borough of Rockledge, as approved by voters in the May 20, 2025 referendum. The earliest that any tax impact would go into effect would be July 2026, but the full tax impact will be phased in over several years to reflect when the bonds for the project are issued.
The exact timing of the tax impact is not known at this time, but a proposed schedule for borrowing was presented to the Board of School Directors on September 30, 2025.
Once the bonds are finalized, the District will send out a communication regarding what the amounts and schedules will mean for taxpayers over the coming years, beginning with the first increase in July 2026.
In the meantime, taxpayers can estimate their potential tax impact using our online tax calculator. This tool uses current assumptions to provide an approximate calculation.
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Visit the Abington Middle School Project Archive to review information from January 2024 - May 2025, including details about the District’s challenges, the process behind the May 2025 referendum, the plan for Abington Middle School, frequently asked questions, and more.
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The $285 million bond proposal that was approved by voters in May 2025 was based on anticipated construction costs for a 345,000-square-foot middle school that would serve up to 2,200 students.
The square footage for the new building was based on several factors, including the District’s educational program, academic needs, common spaces, performing arts, fitness and wellness spaces, and space for administration, student services and other building operations.
Cost estimates were developed collaboratively by architects, District administration, engineers, and financial experts. The estimated price per square foot reflects projected construction costs in the Pennsylvania market for 2026-2028. In addition to the building’s square footage, educational spaces and essential infrastructure, the cost estimate factored in the following:
Design costs for architectural and engineering services
Building construction costs, including materials and labor for general construction, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing
Site development and building demolition costs
Relocation costs for athletic fields and amenities as required under the proposed plan
General conditions, such as a job trailer, dumpsters, temporary systems and site supervision
Permitting and compliance, including land development costs, testing and code compliance
Furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E) to furnish and equip the school
Professional services, including project development, construction management, commissioning, legal, insurance and other required professional services
A construction contingency fund for unforeseen costs during construction
The District evaluated what is needed in a new middle school that will serve students and our community for the next 50 to 60 years. This process included analyzing costs from what comparable school districts are spending on new construction and accounting for likely inflationary impacts between now and the school’s expected opening.
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The bonds issued to build a new Middle School will not be permanent. The exact timing of the bonds is not yet determined, as it will be dependent on interest rates at the time of issuance. Estimates were based on a duration of 39 years.
This investment is funded by a tax increase on property owners in Abington Township and the Borough of Rockledge. The earliest that any tax impact would go into effect would be July 2026, but the full tax impact will be phased in over several years to reflect when the bonds for the project are issued. The exact timing of the tax impact is not known at this time, and will depend on the exact bond issuance schedule.
Taxpayers can estimate their potential tax impact using our online tax calculator. This tool uses current assumptions to provide an approximate calculation.
Stay Connected
The District is committed to gathering input and feedback from teachers, staff, students, parents/guardians, and residents throughout the collaborative design phase of the project.
Sign up for our ASD community listserv to receive updates.
Any questions can be submitted to MiddleSchoolProject@abington.k12.pa.us.