Columbus City Schools North High School

The Plan

As Columbus City Schools prepared for a new academic year, leaders faced a pressing challenge: Dominion Middle School had enrolled more than 630 students — 221 over the building’s capacity. Finding a larger, suitable space became an immediate priority. Attention turned to North High School, a historic building that first opened its doors in 1924. Though a strong candidate to relieve overcrowding, extensive renovation would be required to make it safe and functional for students once again.

To meet the district’s tight timeline, Miles-McClellan Construction led the exterior “envelope” renovation of the historic North High School, while a separate team handled interior work. During the planning phase, our team identified key value-engineering opportunities and refined scope definitions, cutting costs and boosting efficiency. Miles-McClellan worked closely with the Historical Preservation Committee to secure approvals for all design elements, materials, and construction techniques, ensuring the renovation honored the building’s historic character while meeting modern standards. In the end, Miles-McClellan delivered a complete restoration on time and nearly $20,000 under budget. What was once an aging, unused school now serves as a safe, dry, and functional learning environment for local middle school students.