Frequently Asked Questions

Questions About the Process and Construction Timeline

  • The new Abington Middle School is currently planned to open for the start of the 2029-2030 school year, but a specific move-in date is not yet confirmed because construction timelines can vary. Planning work for the design of the new school is underway, and construction is expected to begin in early 2027. As the project moves forward, the District will continue to share updates and opportunities for community feedback.

  • While the new Abington Middle School is being constructed, students will continue learning in the current Middle School building. The District is committed to ensuring that students have a safe, supportive learning environment throughout the construction period.

  • The plan is for all students and staff to move into the new Abington Middle School once the building is fully complete and ready for occupancy. At that point, 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 District is focused on ensuring a smooth transition for all students focused on student well-being, continuity of learning, and clear communication with families. This will include advance information, opportunities for orientation, and added support — particularly for students with additional needs — as the opening date for the new Middle School approaches.

  • Field use and campus circulation will be carefully phased, and planning discussions are already underway with the Athletic Department and Marching Band leaders to ensure continuity of activities during the construction process. Temporary arrangements will be planned as needed to ensure student activities can continue safely while construction and restoration occur. More information about the interim field allocations will be determined once a construction schedule is better defined. 

    After the new Middle School opens and the existing building is demolished, athletic fields and outdoor facilities will be restored and improved as part of the overall project.Plans for field layout are still being refined. Any changes will consider function, drainage, access, and long‑term campus use.

  • The District and construction team will follow local regulations and best practices to minimize impacts such as noise, dust, and work‑hour disruptions. Community concerns will be considered closely as construction planning advances.

  • Traffic and parking plans are being studied as part of the overall site design and permitting process. The goal is to maintain safe access to school facilities while minimizing impacts to surrounding neighborhoods during construction.

Questions About Design and Educational Benefits

  • The District is working with architects, engineers, educational planners, and municipal partners to design a school that meets today’s teaching and learning needs — while remaining adaptable for generations of Abington students to come. Plans emphasize several core design principles:

    ·        Safety and security

    ·        Accessibility and inclusion

    ·        Light, air, and connection to nature

    ·        Cost control, energy-efficiency and long-term value

    The building is being designed based on current operational needs, long-term planning considerations, and the goal of supporting efficient daily student movement throughout the school. This includes appropriate restroom facilities, cafeteria seating, and circulation space designed to support smooth transitions between classes and accommodate future flexibility as enrollment needs evolve. 

    For more information about the design process, visit the Design Page.

  • Yes. The design process considers a variety of learning environments, including areas for small-group work, enrichment opportunities, and flexible instruction. These spaces are intended to support a wide range of learners and instructional approaches to ensure the District can meet students’ educational needs for years to come.

  • Plans prioritize clear sightlines, well‑monitored entry points, appropriate hallway spacing, and secure separation of public and academic areas. These features help promote student safety while maintaining a welcoming environment.

  • Accessibility is a core design principle guiding the project. The new Middle School will fully meet ADA requirements and is being designed to ensure all students, staff, and visitors can access, use, and move through the building comfortably and safely.

  • The building is being designed with high-efficiency systems that support energy conservation, durability, and healthy indoor environments. Sustainability is a key consideration in long-term cost control and building performance, and the District and design team continue to explore additional energy-efficient and sustainable design alternatives throughout the planning process.

  • Yes. Input from teachers and staff is a core part of ensuring the new Abington Middle School supports the District’s standard of excellence and student achievement. The District has engaged administrators, educators, and staff throughout the planning and design process, and will continue gathering feedback as designs are refined.

  • The planned size of the new Middle School building is approximately 345,000 square feet. This estimate is based on the District’s educational program and overall space needs for academics, common areas, performing arts, fitness and wellness, administration, student services, and building operations. The design team continues to refine layouts and evaluate space efficiencies while balancing educational priorities, long-term value, fiscal responsibility, and flexibility for future needs.

    The new building is being designed to support the District’s current middle school population while also providing flexibility to accommodate future enrollment changes over time. The proposed capacity reflects both present operational needs and long-range planning considerations to help ensure the building can effectively serve Abington students for decades to come.

Questions About the Cost

  • The $285 million bond proposal approved by voters in May 2025 was based on anticipated construction costs for a modern, 345,000-square-foot middle school in the Pennsylvania market for 2026-2028. Cost estimates were developed collaboratively by architects, District administration, engineers, and financial experts.

    In addition to the building’s square footage, educational spaces and essential infrastructure, the cost estimate factored in the following:

    1. Design costs for architectural and engineering services

    2. Building construction costs, including materials and labor for general construction, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing

    3. Site development and building demolition costs

    4. Relocation costs for athletic fields and amenities as required under the proposed plan

    5. General conditions, such as a job trailer, dumpsters, temporary systems and site supervision

    6. Permitting and compliance, including land development costs, testing and code compliance

    7. Furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E) to furnish and equip the school

    8. Professional services, including project development, construction management, commissioning, legal, insurance and other required professional services

    9. 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 50-60 years. This included analyzing new construction costs from comparable school districts and accounting for likely inflationary impacts between now and the school’s expected opening.

  • The District and design team continually review options through a value-focused design process to ensure the project is appropriately sized for current and future needs. Project recommendations are based on educational programming, projected enrollment, operational requirements, safety considerations, and feedback gathered from students, staff, families, and community members. The goal is to provide functional, durable, and flexible learning spaces that meet long-term community needs.

  • As approved by voters in May 2025, this investment is funded by a tax increase on property owners in Abington Township and the Borough of Rockledge. The earliest any tax increase would go into effect is July 2026, but the full tax impact will be phased in over several years to reflect when the bonds for the project are issued.

    Once the bonds are finalized, the District will share additional details about what this will mean for taxpayers over the coming years.

    District administration also continues to monitor and pursue potential grant and alternative funding opportunities whenever possible. In addition, the District is working closely with experienced project partners and consultants to help identify funding opportunities that may become available throughout the planning and construction process. While grant funding cannot be guaranteed, the District remains committed to exploring every reasonable opportunity to help offset project costs and maximize value for taxpayers.

  • No. The bonds issued to build a new Middle School will not be permanent. The exact timing of the bonds is not yet determined and will depend on interest rates at the time of issuance. Estimates were based on a duration of 39 years. The bond issuance schedule will then determine exact timing of the tax impact.

    Taxpayers can estimate their potential tax impact using our online tax calculator. This tool uses current assumptions to provide an approximate calculation.

  • 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.

Questions About Community Engagement

  • Community input and engagement remains a priority as the new Abington Middle School project moves forward. Over the coming months, the District will provide updates through regular public Board meetings and share additional opportunities for residents to provide feedback as designs for the new school are refined.

  • Residents are encouraged to visit OneASDOneFuture.org for regular updates and may submit questions at any time by emailing: MiddleSchoolProject@abington.k12.pa.us.