Photo: The campus-wide modernization includes targeted updates to key CTE program spaces, such as floral design, nursing assisting, cosmetology and childcare. | Photo Credit: Courtesy of DLR Group, McCarthy Building Companies
By Lindsey Coulter
At a Glance: Metro Tech High School Renovation
- Scope and Timeline: Multi-phased modernization project including 150,000+ square feet of renovations and a new 22,500-square-foot competition gymnasium, set for completion before the 2027–2028 school year.
- Design and Construction Team: Led by DLR Group (design) and McCarthy Building Companies Inc. (construction), with input from students, district leaders, and local industry experts.
- Career and Technical Education Focus: Modernized facilities for 20 CTE programs, including nursing, cosmetology, floral design, and childcare, designed to support real-world training and future career readiness.
- Campus Enhancements: New sports fields, theater space, administrative offices, crosswalks, paved walkways, and infrastructure upgrades including cooling towers and underground mechanical systems.
- Student Involvement: Active learning opportunities during construction through PXU’s ACE Mentorship and CTE programs, with tours and hands-on experiences integrated into the renovation process.
PHOENIX — Construction is underway at Metro Tech High School as the Phoenix Union High School District (PXU) embarks on a comprehensive, multi-phased renovation and expansion aimed at redefining career and technical education (CTE) in Arizona.
Designed by DLR Group and built by McCarthy Building Companies Inc., the transformation will enhance all 20 of Metro Tech’s CTE programs with cutting-edge facilities, new construction and more than 150,000 square feet of renovations. A new 22,500-square-foot competition gymnasium, upgraded sports fields, and a complete reimagining of the campus layout are central components of the overhaul, scheduled for completion before the 2027-2028 school year.
“We are extremely excited for the future of Metro Tech High School,” said PXU Superintendent Thea Andrade in a statement. “With the overwhelming public support behind our bond funding this project, we will offer the next generation of PXU students the best possible educational experience.”
DLR Group’s campus design emphasizes student experience and accessibility, with a focus on pedestrian-friendly improvements such as new crosswalks and paved pathways. The design also incorporates adaptive reuse principles, preserving historical elements of the original West High School campus, which dates back to 1947.
“This renovation shifts what’s possible for our students in real, tangible ways,” said Metro Tech Principal Shawna Wright in a statement. “We’re not just updating walls and equipment; we’re building collaborative spaces that will give students the skills they need to exceed in jobs we have not even imagined yet.”
The campus-wide modernization includes targeted updates to key CTE program spaces, such as floral design, nursing assisting, cosmetology and childcare. These updated environments will be designed to meet program-specific needs and technological requirements. A new campus entrance will also welcome students and visitors with upgraded administrative offices and room for future expansion.
Additional features of the project include a new white box theater for school and community events, new baseball, soccer, and softball fields, and enhanced infrastructure including additional parking, expanded bus stalls, new cooling towers and a full overhaul of the underground mechanical piping system.
“This project is about more than construction – it’s about building once-in-a-lifetime learning opportunities for students on this campus,” said McCarthy Project Director Tyler Shupe in a statement. “We’re proud to create a campus that reflects the ambition and skill of Metro Tech’s students, bringing them alongside us through the process. Phoenix Union’s incredible commitment to training and developing the next generation of skilled trade workers, medical professionals and other vital careers is clear from the transformative vision of this project.”
As part of that vision, students from Metro Tech and other PXU schools will be actively engaged in the construction process. McCarthy will provide real-world learning experiences through site tours and mentorship opportunities aligned with Metro Tech’s ACE (Architecture, Construction, Engineering) Mentorship program and CTE coursework in construction and electrical trades.
“Metro Tech High School has been a cornerstone of the Phoenix community for years and we are excited to work with PXU and MT leaders to develop a design that will expand educational opportunities for students and show the community the amazing programs they provide,” said David Schmidt, principal and architect with DLR Group, in a statement.
Serving more than 1,800 students on a 35-acre campus, Metro Tech is one of 23 schools in PXU, one of the largest high school districts in the U.S. The renovation continues a century-long collaboration between PXU and DLR Group.