What an 18-month construction project means for families applying to Middle School now
Quick Answer for Busy Parents
The Bush School is undertaking its Center Campus and Middle School Project, an 18-month construction effort beginning winter 2026, adding 6 new classrooms and 2 new science labs where two-thirds of Middle School classes will take place. The new building opens for the start of the 2027–2028 school year. The project also repurposes existing Middle School space into a Center for Community, Equity, and Inclusion, a Learning Support Center, and a Makerspace.
What’s Actually Being Built
The new Middle School building will include 6 new classrooms and 2 new science labs, enough capacity that two-thirds of Middle School classes across all three grades will take place there once complete. Beyond classroom space, the project adds 2 new teacher work spaces and 2 new collaborative hub spaces specifically for Middle School students and faculty to gather, reflecting a design built around the specific needs of that age group rather than a generic addition.
Built Around Middle School’s Specific Needs
Designing dedicated collaborative hub spaces and teacher work areas specifically for Middle School, rather than shared, all-ages space, reflects an intentional choice to give this age group its own environment suited to how middle schoolers actually work and interact, distinct from Lower or Upper School.
| Milestone | Timing |
| Construction Begins | Winter 2026 |
| Estimated Construction Duration | 18 months |
| New Building Opens | Fall 2027 (start of 2027–2028 school year) |
| Existing Sixth Grade Wing | Remains intact throughout |
A Timeline Families Should Know
Construction begins winter 2026 and is expected to take approximately 18 months, with students beginning classes in the new building at the start of the 2027–2028 school year. The Bush School has stated it wants to minimize disruption during construction, especially for Middle School students, and is working out logistics like where eating will take place during the build, potentially including classrooms and outdoor spaces.
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Repurposing the Existing Middle School Spaces
Once the new building opens and most Middle School classes relocate there, Bush plans to repurpose its current spaces rather than leave them vacant. The current Harrison wing will become a Center for Community, Equity, and Inclusion, a Learning Support Center, and a Makerspace.
The Republican wing will receive updated classrooms and teacher workspaces. Both wings will get common improvements, including new carpeting, interior and exterior painting, acoustical panels, updated casework, and modernized electrical systems.
A Project That Extends Beyond New Construction
Repurposing rather than abandoning the existing Middle School wings means the project’s impact extends beyond the new building itself, upgrading and repositioning space that will continue serving students and families for years to come.
The Center Campus and Middle School Project represents a major enhancement to The Bush School, but navigating an 18-month construction timeline requires careful planning for prospective families. Cardinal Education helps families evaluate how these facility updates and temporary disruptions directly affect their child’s specific entry year, ensuring parents can confidently weigh admissions timing, school environment, and long-term educational fit.
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