Southfield Public Schools officially broke ground on its new University K-12 Academy, marking a major milestone in the district’s voter-approved capital improvement program and the start of construction on one of its largest facilities projects.
District leaders were joined by elected officials, Board of Education members, students, families, staff, alumni, community leaders and bond partners to celebrate the beginning of construction on the new school, which is part of the district’s $345 million Capital Facilities Bond approved by voters in November 2022.
More than 70% of voters approved the bond proposal, which is funding a long-term plan to modernize school buildings, address aging infrastructure, improve safety and security, and expand educational programming throughout the district.
“Today, we are building far more than a new school,” said Dr. Jennifer Martin-Green, superintendent of Southfield Public Schools. “We are building opportunities, expanding possibilities, and investing in the future of every Southfield Public Schools scholar.”
The new University K-12 Academy is one of the cornerstone projects included in the district’s bond program. Plans call for construction of a new approximately 253,000-square-foot facility that will serve students in kindergarten through 12th grade. The project includes replacing older portions of the existing campus with a modern learning environment designed to support current and future generations of students, according to project information released by the district and construction partners.
The groundbreaking marks the latest step in a facilities plan that has been in development for several years.
Before placing the bond proposal on the ballot, Southfield Public Schools completed a districtwide assessment of its buildings and long-term facility needs. District officials said many school buildings required significant upgrades after decades of use, while enrollment trends and academic programming also prompted a review of how district facilities would be used in the future.
That planning process led to the $345 million bond proposal presented to voters in 2022. The proposal included funding for new school construction, building renovations, infrastructure improvements, safety and security upgrades, technology improvements, and expanded educational programming across the district.
District officials said at the time that the bond would be implemented over approximately eight years through multiple bond sales, allowing projects to move forward in phases while schools remained in operation.
The University K-12 Academy project has consistently been identified as one of the largest investments within the overall bond program. In addition to constructing the new building, the district’s capital plan includes improvements at several other school buildings and campuses throughout Southfield Public Schools.
Board of Education President Talisha Belk said the groundbreaking represents the community’s continued support for the district and its students.
“This groundbreaking reflects our community’s confidence in Southfield Public Schools and our shared commitment to ensuring every scholar has access to exceptional educational opportunities for generations to come,” Belk said.
Students also participated in the groundbreaking ceremony, including University K-12 Academy scholar Lauryn Banks.
“Knowing that I may be part of the first graduating class from the new University K-12 Academy makes today’s groundbreaking incredibly meaningful,” Banks said. “Thank you for believing in us and investing in our future.”
Since voters approved the bond proposal, Southfield Public Schools has begun work on multiple projects across the district. Earlier this year, district officials provided public updates on completed and ongoing improvements funded through the bond, including building renovations, infrastructure work, and safety enhancements.
According to previous reports, the district has structured construction in phases to minimize disruptions to students and staff while continuing instruction throughout the duration of the capital program.
The overall bond program carries a price tag of $345 million, making it the largest capital investment in district facilities in recent history. When the proposal was presented to voters, district officials estimated the debt millage increase would cost the average Southfield homeowner about $27 per month while providing funding to modernize schools across the district.
Construction on the new University K-12 Academy is expected to continue as part of the district’s multi-year capital improvement schedule, with additional bond-funded projects planned at schools throughout the district.
At the groundbreaking ceremony, district leaders thanked residents of Southfield and Lathrup Village for approving the bond proposal and supporting the district’s long-term facilities plan.
The new academy will serve students from kindergarten through 12th grade and become one of the signature projects completed through the capital improvement program. There was no announcement on when the school would open.
