Benson High School celebrates grand opening of modernized campus

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- After three years of construction, Benson Polytechnic High School has officially reopened its doors to students and staff.

Some of the upgrades include includes a seismic retrofit of campus buildings, as well as an upgrade to the school's gym providing a temporary emergency shelter. Additionally, the five new buildings include upgrades to learning spaces for the school's wide array of technical programs.

Students and staff got to ring in the 2024 school year at the modernized Northeast Portland campus in late August, but held an official celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony Saturday.

"Today is a day of celebration, reflection and hope for the future. And we stand on the threshold of a new era for Benson Polytechnic High School. " said Gary Hollands, PPS Board member and Benson alumnus, "I am filled with an overwhelming sense of pride and excitement. This isn't just any school - it is our school. There is no other school like us. A place that has shaped our lives, offered ambitions and given us the foundation to build the future we dreamed of."

According to PPS, this new remodel also emphasizes a reduced carbon footprint, with a large solar array providing hundreds of megawatt hours of renewable energy. Further, more than 40 new trees have been planted.

“We here at Benson Tech which includes our students, staff, alumni and community are extremely excited to be in our new state of the art 21st century facility, and we look forward to utilizing all the new and updated tools and equipment that this remodeled Benson Tech has to offer,” said Benson Polytechnic Principal Curtis Wilson Jr.

Benson is the sixth PPS high school to be modernized or completely rebuilt through the School Building Improvement Bond program passed by voters in 2017.

There are currently three Portland high schools in the design phase of this program, with construction on Jefferson High School set for the summer of 2025.