The Academic Vision for the replacement GJHS capitalized on the Career Technology Education (CTE) programs and Advanced Placement classes. The new educational framework supporting the Academic Vision will be four (4) Academies and/or Pathways, the are as follows:

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• Health Sciences and Human Services

• Business and Entrepreneurship

• Engineering, Technology, Natural Resources

• Arts and Humanities

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The Academies will offer students robust opportunities for college credits and industry certificates. 

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GJHS is programmed at approx. 265,000 sf. Three-story academies make consolidation of the footprint possible. Other two-story volumes support Athletics and Performing Arts Center. The School is designed to support a student enrollment of 1850. 

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The New facility was constructed in the northeast section of the campus, allowing existing GJHS to remain operational during the construction phases. This allowed the continued use of the existing track and field in the northwest corner of the campus. The existing track will be resurfaced as part of the project. A new ball field,  tennis courts, practice field, and student parking area will be constructed where the existing school stood. 

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The building is designed to promote connection and transparency throughout the facility; connections between student/student, student/faculty, and faculty/faculty. Additional design focus addressed the need to create a "safe school and campus", with limited number of secured entries into the building and the ability to create security zones within the building for student safety. 

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Design drivers for the building organization included:

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• Clarity of main entrance as an impactful first impression.

• Intentional composition of Academies demonstrating unique educational spaces supporting college and career pathways.

• Creation of a central space (a HUB); connecting the academies with the community spaces (Athletic Center and PAC).

• Aspirational Athletic Center reflecting the sports heritage of GJHS. 

• Performing Arts Center (PAC), includes a 1400 seat community auditorium.

• Central faculty spaces to promote greater connection between faculty.

• Media and Technology Center centrally located for easy student access.

• Celebration of the existing culture and heritage of GJHS.

• Embracing daylighting and major views from the campus to the surrounding benchmarks (Grand Mesa, Colorado, National Monument, and the Bookcliffs)

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BG+co partnered with DLR Group for the replacement high school.

Construction began in the Spring of 2022. The new building is occupied as of August of 2022. Demolition of the existing building and construction of new parking lot and playing fields will be completed by summer of 2025