Additions to Hillsboro High School | Hillsboro, Illinois
The Hillsboro High School project replaces the campus’s 102-year-old Main Building with an approximately 65,000-square-foot new facility that unifies the existing Gym, Cafeteria, and Agricultural Buildings into a single, cohesive structure. The new design establishes one central, controlled main entrance, enhancing both campus security and circulation while reorienting the entire site to create a clear and welcoming identity.
The facility includes ten standard classrooms and five modern science laboratories organized within a dedicated academic wing accompanied by various informal meeting areas. The centrally located atrium thoughtfully connects two of the existing-to-remain structures and provides ADA accessibility between those structures and the new addition. A new administrative suite with a secure entry, guidance department, conference rooms, and faculty break room provide updated spaces for student support and staff collaboration. A skybridge seamlessly links new construction to existing buildings, reinforcing campus connectivity. Physical education, athletic, and community amenities are expanded with a new secondary gymnasium, multipurpose room, locker rooms, and a centralized athletics lobby with concessions, as well as new public restrooms serving the track and football field. Outdoor learning areas and an emphasis on natural daylight throughout the building further enhance the student experience.
Respectful of the historic structures that remain, the project integrates modern amenities and systems to bring the campus up to today’s educational standards. The result is a unified, contemporary learning environment that supports academics, athletics, and student life while providing Hillsboro and the surrounding communities with a cohesive and future-ready campus.
The facility includes ten standard classrooms and five modern science laboratories organized within a dedicated academic wing accompanied by various informal meeting areas. The centrally located atrium thoughtfully connects two of the existing-to-remain structures and provides ADA accessibility between those structures and the new addition. A new administrative suite with a secure entry, guidance department, conference rooms, and faculty break room provide updated spaces for student support and staff collaboration. A skybridge seamlessly links new construction to existing buildings, reinforcing campus connectivity. Physical education, athletic, and community amenities are expanded with a new secondary gymnasium, multipurpose room, locker rooms, and a centralized athletics lobby with concessions, as well as new public restrooms serving the track and football field. Outdoor learning areas and an emphasis on natural daylight throughout the building further enhance the student experience.
Respectful of the historic structures that remain, the project integrates modern amenities and systems to bring the campus up to today’s educational standards. The result is a unified, contemporary learning environment that supports academics, athletics, and student life while providing Hillsboro and the surrounding communities with a cohesive and future-ready campus.
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From Rendering to Reality
From the earliest conceptual renderings to the final built form, the Hillsboro High School project represents a collaborative effort to reimagine education through intentional design and careful execution. What started as an idea on paper evolved into a state-of-the-art learning facility—one that supports modern teaching methods, fosters collaboration, and serves as a lasting investment in students, educators, and the community.
From the earliest conceptual renderings to the final built form, the Hillsboro High School project represents a collaborative effort to reimagine education through intentional design and careful execution. What started as an idea on paper evolved into a state-of-the-art learning facility—one that supports modern teaching methods, fosters collaboration, and serves as a lasting investment in students, educators, and the community.
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Northern Addition
The northern addition serves as the academic and administrative heart of the new Hillsboro High School facility. It houses general classrooms, science laboratories, a lecture hall, administrative and guidance offices, conference spaces, and a central atrium with a learning stair and flexible seating. Filled with natural light, this addition creates a collaborative, secure, and student-centered environment that connects seamlessly to the existing campus. ADA accessibility is highlighted within this portion of the project through the use of low-sloped ramps, thoughtful floor elevation placement, and the inclusion of a centrally located elevator.
The northern addition serves as the academic and administrative heart of the new Hillsboro High School facility. It houses general classrooms, science laboratories, a lecture hall, administrative and guidance offices, conference spaces, and a central atrium with a learning stair and flexible seating. Filled with natural light, this addition creates a collaborative, secure, and student-centered environment that connects seamlessly to the existing campus. ADA accessibility is highlighted within this portion of the project through the use of low-sloped ramps, thoughtful floor elevation placement, and the inclusion of a centrally located elevator.
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Southern Addition
The southern addition is dedicated to student activities and athletics, anchoring the campus with a new secondary gymnasium and a centralized athletics lobby. It includes modern locker rooms, a multipurpose room, concessions, and public restrooms serving the track and football field. The addition is designed with a dedicated after-hours entry, allowing the athletic and extracurricular spaces to operate independently while the remainder of the building is securely separated during evening and weekend activities. The inclusion of a chair lift provides ADA accessibility to areas of the existing building that were previously inaccessible. The southern-most portion of the addition acts as the school's storm shelter, providing a safe space for students and staff during severe weather.
The southern addition is dedicated to student activities and athletics, anchoring the campus with a new secondary gymnasium and a centralized athletics lobby. It includes modern locker rooms, a multipurpose room, concessions, and public restrooms serving the track and football field. The addition is designed with a dedicated after-hours entry, allowing the athletic and extracurricular spaces to operate independently while the remainder of the building is securely separated during evening and weekend activities. The inclusion of a chair lift provides ADA accessibility to areas of the existing building that were previously inaccessible. The southern-most portion of the addition acts as the school's storm shelter, providing a safe space for students and staff during severe weather.
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Interior Communal Spaces
Internal communal spaces—including the main atrium, primary corridors, and the athletics lobby—are designed as vibrant hubs for student interaction and informal learning. A strong emphasis on natural daylight, transparency, and visual connectivity creates welcoming, uplifting environments throughout the building. These flexible, adaptable spaces support a variety of uses throughout the day, from collaboration and study to gatherings, events, and circulation.
Internal communal spaces—including the main atrium, primary corridors, and the athletics lobby—are designed as vibrant hubs for student interaction and informal learning. A strong emphasis on natural daylight, transparency, and visual connectivity creates welcoming, uplifting environments throughout the building. These flexible, adaptable spaces support a variety of uses throughout the day, from collaboration and study to gatherings, events, and circulation.
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Flexible Presentation Spaces
Flexible presentation spaces, including the learning stair and lecture hall, support both formal instruction and informal gathering. Designed for adaptability, these spaces accommodate lectures, presentations, assemblies, and small group activities that do not require the use of a gymnasium or cafeteria, helping relieve longstanding scheduling challenges. Abundant natural light and integrated technology enhance functionality while creating engaging, scalable environments for students and staff.
Flexible presentation spaces, including the learning stair and lecture hall, support both formal instruction and informal gathering. Designed for adaptability, these spaces accommodate lectures, presentations, assemblies, and small group activities that do not require the use of a gymnasium or cafeteria, helping relieve longstanding scheduling challenges. Abundant natural light and integrated technology enhance functionality while creating engaging, scalable environments for students and staff.
