New Quebec Heights school on track

Once slated for permanent closure, construction of a new Quebec Heights School is on track to begin in May.

Cincinnati Public Schools' (CPS) Board of Education approved schematic designs for the new $16.5 million, 76,529-square-foot building following a presentation by Derek Howard of DHArchitects last month.

The school will replace the existing 63,000-square-foot school at 1655 Ross Avenue in Price Hill, built in 1966. Up to 550 pre-kindergarten through 8th grade students will be accommodated in the new building, with room for future expansion.

It will also serve as a community learning center, including an outdoor theatre, a health clinic, a gymnasium, a computer lab, community gardens, and walking and biking paths.

Sustainable elements will include natural lighting, geothermal heating and cooling, and storm water capture. Outdoor classrooms dedicated to science, reading, and art will be built on the 7.3-acre grounds, and a large portion of the roof will be built to support roof gardens.

During construction, the 390 current Quebec Heights students will move to the Central Fairmount School campus at 2475 White Street.

Construction is scheduled for completion in summer 2012.

The new Quebec Heights School is part of Cincinnati Public Schools' facilities master plan, a $1.1 billion bond issue approved by voters in May 2002 to build 35 new schools and renovate an additional 17.

Renderings courtesy of DHArchitects and CPS.

Previous reading on BC:
CRC: Quebec Heights not suitable for rec center (6/10/08)
EPH resident proposes swaps involving Whittier, Quebec Heights sites (4/24/08)