MORROW COUNTY, Ore. — After months of collaboration and community input, the design for the new Irrigon Junior/Senior High School is complete. The Morrow County School District is now giving residents their first look at the modern facility, which will feature new classrooms, collaborative learning areas and common spaces for students.
The renderings created by SĀJ Architecture show the completed design of the Irrigon school, one of the three major projects funded by the voter-approved school bond. The design was shaped by recommendations from the Irrigon Design Advisory Committee (DAC), which worked with architects to develop a cost-effective facility that meets the needs of students, staff and the community.
One of the committee's priorities was creating a welcoming, flexible commons area at the heart of the school. In addition to providing space for student lunches and daily gatherings, the commons will feature a stage, auxiliary kitchen and seating for concerts, ceremonies and other school and community events. A “learning stair” will be constructed using flooring from the current school gymnasium, carrying a piece of the school's history into the new building.
The committee also emphasized the importance of daylight throughout the school and suggested large exterior windows that will bring more natural light into classrooms and shared spaces, creating a positive and engaging learning environment.
“We couldn't be more pleased with how the building looks and feels, and we can't wait to see it come to life next year.” said Addie Cole, Irrigon Jr/Sr High School teacher DAC member. “The design reflects the values of the Irrigon community by creating space for everyone while incorporating elements inspired by the surrounding landscape and the industries that shape our area."
The design also emphasizes distinct and accessible learning environments for junior high and high school students, with junior high classrooms on the first floor and high school classrooms on the second. Career and Technical Education (CTE) will be accessible directly from the commons, and athletic facilities will be consolidated near the existing track and field, with the weight room and wrestling room relocated from the CTE building into a new athletics wing. Together, these improvements will create a more connected and functional campus.
“This design reflects what can happen when a community has a meaningful voice and partnership in planning its schools,” said Jonah Jensen, Principal Architect at SĀJ Architecture. “The DAC helped us think beyond classrooms and hallways to create a school that will serve students, families and the entire Irrigon community for generations.”
With the design complete, the district is preparing for construction, which is currently expected to begin in March 2027. The new school building is anticipated to be completed by fall 2028. Once the new building is finished, the existing school will be demolished followed by completion of parking areas, landscaping and other site improvements. That final phase is expected to continue through spring 2029.
The Irrigon school replacement is part of the district's voter-approved 2025 bond, which also funds school improvement projects in Boardman and Heppner and safety and security upgrades throughout the district.
The district will continue providing updates as the project moves toward construction. More renderings of the building and information about bond projects, timelines and upcoming updates are available at mcsdbond.org.