Huntington Middle School: The Next Chapter

The proud history of Huntington High School and Huntington Middle School will continue with the construction of a new 600-student middle school, anticipated to open during the 2026-2027 school year.

The new middle school is part of the city’s Southeast Community Resource Area that is set to include a public library and community center, as well as sports and recreation features.

Construction Progress Update

October 16, 2025

The Huntington Middle School building site is divided into four (4) building zones, A, B, C, and D. MEB General Contractors, Inc, the Contractor, is developing the building pad in the order of zones C, D, B, and A. The work completed in these building zones are as follows:

Zone “C”

• Roofing is complete for the gym.
• Roofing on remainder of area C low roof(s), i.e., entry way, staff dining, locker rooms, main corridor are approximately 60% complete.
• Continue overhead mechanical, electrical, and plumbing rough-ins over gym and locker room areas.
• Installation of overhead sprinkler piping is approximately 30% complete.
• Metal stud framing for gym exterior parapets and overhang is complete.
• Interior “non” load bearing CMU block walls in locker rooms are 90% complete.

Zone “D”

• Structural steel joists and decks in the kitchen/cafeteria are complete.
• Installation of steel joists over 3rd floor classroom areas 90% complete.
• Start roofing over steel deck of the kitchen & cafeteria areas.
• Continue installation of overhead mechanical, electrical, & plumbing rough-ins in the kitchen area.
• Installation of interior CMU walls is complete in the cafeteria, kitchen, and main mechanical room is approximately 75% complete.
• Equipment pads for mechanical equipment have been placed in the main mechanical & electrical room.
• Second and third floor structural joists and decks are complete.
• Concrete Slab-on-Deck “SOD” to begin prepping prep October 6th.
• Overhead Mechanical, Electrical, & Plumbing, i.e. “MEP” rough-in have begun.
• Begin installation of exterior wall.
• Reinspection of structural steel with third party inspection agency scheduled to be conducted.
• Start installation of air barrier of exterior walls.

Zone “B”

• Structural steel erection in the classroom wing is approximately 80% complete.
• Set structural steel columns & beams in Library area approximately 60% complete.
• Upon completion of structural steel erection and placement in area B, crane will be removed from the courtyard area.
• All load bearing CMU block walls are complete.

Zone “A”

• All load bearing CMU block walls are complete.
• Hollow metal door jams have been placed for CTE labs/learning spaces.
• Crews are working to complete overflow rain leader stubs-outs of building.

Field House

• Complete installation of interior CMU block walls.

Utilities

• Storm water installations have been completed up to 30th street and are ready to turn into the jobsite. Storm water piping on-site is approximately 15% complete. Storm water installation is in progress down 30th street.
• Water: Newport News Waterworks currently reviewing design drawings for compliance with their criteria and coordinating with MEB Contractors.
• Electrical – Dominion Energy transformer date has been established as October 31, 2025 as the latest day transformer can arrive without impacts to schedule. The transformer is on order and the site is being prepped for delivery prior to 10/31/2025.
• Gas: Gas meter locations have been provided for the owner and confirmed by the design team. The City of Newport News has submitted a work order and application to Virginia Natural Gas.
• Communications: The contractor said the school will be ready for the communications subcontractor to perform their work.

Overall Completion

• Overall Completion is 36% complete.