Menominee Indian High School in Keshena is getting a $35 million makeover. Here are 3 things to know
KESHENA ― The Menominee Indian School District will have a brand-new high school in fall 2024, eventually moving all three of its schools to one educational campus in Keshena.
The district had a groundbreaking Wednesday afternoon with a traditional smudging ceremony, opening prayer and student drummers. Smudging is the ceremonial burning of dried plants for cleansing.
“This may be a new high school, but it’s really a community facility that will benefit so many of ourstudents, families and community members for years to come,” said MISD SuperintendentWendell Waukau. “The facility is designed to reflect the importance of connecting Menominee Indianculture and traditions to nature, learning and the community.
Here are three things to know about the new school:
Miron general contractor for $35 million project
The 110,000-square-foot school is estimated to cost $35 million. Miron is the general contractor on the project.
It will include labs for the Menominee language, arts and foods.
There will also be technical education and science labs equipped with areas for woodworking, metalworking, automotive and agriculture education.
The new school will have a fieldhouse for sports, fitness, wellness programs and public community use.
A school forest will be available for cultural and environmental learning.
It will be the new home for over 300 high school students.
The school will feature Menominee culture and history
The school will be constructed using natural, sustainable materials and an open floor plan for collaboration and hands-on, project-based learning, according to a media release.
A key component of the design is circular areas that represent life, seasons, nature and the Menominee forest. The architecture also hopes to capture water ― especially the creation place of the Menominee Tribe at the Menominee and Wolf rivers ― the tribe's clan system and history of boarding schools.
The new high school will bring all the district's schools to one educational campus
After students move into the new high school in fall 2024, the current high school will be updated and repurposed as the district’s middle school, bringing those students from Neopit to Keshena.
That will bring all three of the district's schools to one campus in Keshena. The district hopes having all the schools in one area will provide opportunities to share staff, reduce transportation costs, have better security and give easier access to health and special education services.
Danielle DuClos is a Report for America corps member who covers K-12 education for the Green Bay Press-Gazette. Contact her at dduclos@gannett.com. Follow on Twitter @danielle_duclos. You can directly support her work with a tax-deductible donation at GreenBayPressGazette.com/RFA or by check made out to The GroundTruth Project with subject line Report for America Green Bay Press Gazette Campaign. Address: The GroundTruth Project, Lockbox Services, 9450 SW Gemini Drive, PMB 46837, Beaverton, Oregon 97008-7105.
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: New Menominee Indian High School in Keshena costs $35M
