Construction has officially started on the new Norwalk High School (NHS) and P-TECH Norwalk building in the City of Norwalk, Connecticut, US.  

The ground-breaking ceremony was attended by Norwalk's mayor Harry Rilling and Norwalk Public Schools, alongside Connecticut governor Ned Lamont, state senator Bob Duff, and other officials.  

The state has granted an 80% reimbursement rate for the project, resulting in $138m in savings for local taxpayers.  

This financial support is largely attributed to the efforts of Duff. 

The existing NHS structure, built in 1971, is claimed to be outdated and lacking in the necessary infrastructure to meet current educational standards.  

The pour-in-place concrete design is noted to pose challenges for repairs and upgrades, including impeding wireless signals, which affects both education and security. 

The new facilities are expected to address these issues, with modern infrastructure and technology that will support educational advancements and ensure that students are prepared for the future.  

The two schools, NHS and P-TECH, are expected to have a total enrolment capacity of 2,000 students. 

NHS senior Christian Pierre said: "Although we may not be here to completely enjoy it, I am eager to see the direction the school will be taken in.  

"Personally, I am most excited for the new music department. From experience, we've practiced everywhere from remote parts of the school to the cafeteria to the gym, which hasn't been [good], it's been a struggle.”  

The project is set to be completed with the schools ready for move-in by late 2027.

In addition, the City of Norwalk and Norwalk Public Schools will break ground on the South Norwalk School later this month.  

This school is said to be the community's first neighbourhood school in more than four decades, with an anticipated opening in late 2025.