Cleveland High School Modernization

The Cleveland High School Modernization will create updated learning environments for 1,700 students on a compact 4-acre site in southeast Portland. The project includes a full rebuild of the 1929 structure, plus upgrades to an off-site stadium, parking, and public park.

Beginning in 2023, community visioning shaped a plan that prioritizes student experience. Early input demonstrated a need to shift the school culture from a rushed, cramped feeling to a more open, calming daily experience. The selected approach forms a compact, four-story building organized around a central courtyard, bringing in daylight, views, and a secure outdoor gathering space. Program spaces are thoughtfully integrated, including Career Technical Education (CTE) labs, music and performance spaces, and flexible learning environments. The north building will use mass timber with dowel-laminated floors, while the south supports long-span gym, theater, and specialized lab spaces in steel and concrete. The hallways feature moments for pause and rest, at frequent benches and collaborative flex spaces at the end of each hall. A wellness room can be used for group meetings, yoga, and prayer.