Albuquerque (New Mexico) district opens new school for arts magnet program

The Albuquerque (New Mexico) district has opened a $43 million campus for an arts magnet school.

The district says that the new Janet Kahn School of Integrated Arts replaces a facility built in 1956 that was in serious disrepair. The old school has been known as Eubank Elementary until the district renamed it several years ago for Kahn.

At an Aug. 24 grand opening and open house, students, parents and community members got a first-hand look at the new learning venue outfitted with modern performing arts space and music and art rooms.

Phase 1 of the project added more than 35,000 square feet of new construction, including general education classrooms, a parent room, a kindergarten, and a mini-gym.

A second phase involved 79,000 square feet of additional new construction, including an administrative suite, library, classrooms, support spaces, a parent drop-off drive extension, a new parking lot, a new playground, a turf play field, and other site work.

Besides replacing old infrastructure, the new campus will enable Janet Kahn to transition from a pre-K-5 school to a pure magnet choice school that will also serve sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade students. This year, the school has added a sixth-grade class.

The $43 million school replacement project was made possible by voters who approved a bond proposal in November 2019. 

The architect is Van H. Gilbert Architects. The contractors are Thompson Construction (first phase) and Bradbury Stamm Construction (second phase).