Middlesex County Breaks Ground on the Middlesex County Innovation Magnet School at Middlesex College
New state-of-the-art public high school to expand academic pathways and workforce development opportunities
MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NJ – Middlesex County, in partnership with Middlesex County Magnet Schools, celebrated a major milestone on Monday, March 3, with the groundbreaking of the new Middlesex County Innovation Magnet School on the Middlesex College campus. The event brought together County officials, state leaders, and community partners to advance the County’s Community, Innovation, and Opportunity (CIO) Strategic Investment Plan—underscoring a commitment to education, workforce development, and economic growth.
Located on the newly named “Innovation Way” at Middlesex College, the Innovation Magnet School will be the sixth high school within the Middlesex County Magnet School district and is slated to open in fall 2026. The 75,550-square-foot facility will introduce advanced academic programs that cover engineering principles supporting robotics and energy-efficient systems, applications of advanced technology in building design, data networking systems, and agricultural practices to enhance environmental quality. These technological and sustainability-focused career programs are designed to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving workforce, expanding opportunities for students across the County.
The construction contract has been awarded to DOBCO, the lowest responsible bidder, at a project cost of $42,215,000. Construction will begin immediately under a Project Labor Agreement (PLA), ensuring that the school will be completely built by union labor. The project is funded through a combination of state, federal, and County resources, leveraging Middlesex County’s AAA bond rating—maintained for over 23 consecutive years—allowing the County to make this investment without incurring additional debt.
Among those celebrating this milestone were Board of County Commissioners Director Ronald G. Rios, Middlesex County Commissioner Chanelle Scott McCullum, Middlesex County Magnet Schools Superintendent Jorge Diaz, Middlesex County Magnet Schools Board of Education President Keith Jones II, and Middlesex County Building and Construction Trades Council President Bernie Cooke.
“Innovation is at the core of everything we do at Middlesex County. The new Innovation Magnet School will foster outstanding learning, creativity, exploration and more than anything, create possibility—so students can reach their highest potential,” said Middlesex County Commissioner Director Ronald G. Rios. “I look forward to seeing the Middlesex County Innovation Magnet School become a reality and embracing all the possibilities of the CIO Plan!”
“Being a Middlesex County resident has extraordinary value,” said Middlesex County Commissioner Chanelle Scott McCullum, chair of the Economic Development Committee. “It gives our youth access to unmatched education, like this new public high school, which will offer unique curricula that ensure our students develop the competitive skillsets necessary to meet the demands and challenges of the future workforce. Our economic strength is rooted in quality education, and I am proud to be a part of this exciting future!”
“We’ve been on an educational journey, revolutionizing public school education by focusing on specialized, hands-on learning. As we break ground on the Middlesex County Innovation Magnet School, the sixth school within our distinguished Magnet School district, we’re not just adding another building—we’re pioneering the future of learning,” said Middlesex County Superintendent of Schools Jorge Diaz. “These career programs have been strategically developed to meet the changing workforce and evolving technological advancements, using innovation as the lens to create relevant and high-demand curricula that will make an impact.”
“My fellow School Board members and I share a vision: to build an equitable, diverse, and supportive educational program for the residents and students of Middlesex County,” said Middlesex County Magnet Schools Board of Education President Keith Jones II. “Middlesex County Magnet Schools collaborative efforts with the Board of County Commissioners and Middlesex College leadership exemplifies what can be achieved when dedicated individuals and institutions work together toward a common goal: high-quality education that is accessible to all.”
“Construction trades are the backbone of the CIO project,” said President of the Middlesex County Building and Construction Trades Council Bernie Cooke. “On behalf of the skilled union tradespeople who will take the Innovation Magnet School from blueprint to bricks and mortar and beyond, I want to thank the Board of County Commissioners for their steadfast dedication to all of our construction projects having Project Labor Agreements.”
A Hub for Innovation and Education
Middlesex County Innovation Magnet School will expand its academic offerings and is working with Middlesex College to provide students with opportunities to receive college credits free of cost while enrolled in high school.
This new, forward-thinking public high school will introduce career programs in:
- Sustainable Construction and Environmental Technology
- Sustainable Energy Technology
- Logistics, Robotics and Drone Technology
- Information, Communications, and Cybersecurity Technology
- Biotechnology and Plant Science
Part of a Larger Vision
The Innovation Magnet School is a key component of the CIO Strategic Investment Plan, first announced in November 2022. This visionary initiative is transforming Middlesex College into a dynamic hub for education, workforce development, recreation, arts, and community engagement—all while fueling economic growth, improving quality of life, and expanding opportunities for residents and businesses.
Highlights of the CIO Strategic Investment Plan include:
- A new public high school, the Middlesex County Innovation Magnet School
- A Multipurpose Communication Venue, which broke ground in January 2025
- A Middlesex College Student Center, which broke ground in January 2025
- A Workforce Development and Conference Center
- A Community Park featuring an educational children’s amenity
- A Destination Athletic Complex, featuring:
- 14 multi-sport synthetic fields
- 16 tennis courts
- A state-of-the-art recreational cricket field
- Enhancements to existing outdoor spaces, incorporating public art, seating, and water features
The County continues to invest in driving awareness in the local community with a dedicated advertising campaign, “Get Ready!” with out-of-home and digital exposure to drum up excitement.
For more information about the Community, Innovation, and Opportunity (CIO) Strategic Investment Plan, visit middlesexcountynj.gov/cioplan.
