6 Most Expensive Public Schools Built in America

There are many elaborate public schools in the U.S., but we wanted to narrow our search down and look at the 6 most expensive public schools built in America. The idea behind the public school system is that it provides education for everyone on behalf of the state. The thought is that taxpayers’ money contributes to their local school system so that children can be equipped with the education they need.  In some cases, communities go far above and beyond the tax dollar budget to create schools that are more like palaces and less like the conservative brick building you probably spent many of your early years in.

Of course, the idea of building multi-million dollar school facilities is not without controversy. Some critics argue that large sums of money could be better spent on hiring quality educators and funding the education of their students. Some of these new public school campuses are looking more like private, Ivy League Universities with their elaborate buildings and exclusive athletic facilities. Whatever the case may be, here is a list of the six most expensive schools built in America. We took a close look at a wide variety of news sources to determine the total dollar figure spent on constructing each of these schools and then ranked them according to the cost.

In this list of the 6 most expensive public schools built in America, you’ll find that some communities have decided that spending just a few million on a school is not enough. If you are interested in other amazingly expensive building projects, check out our article, “The Most Expensive Theme Parks Ever Built”.

6. North Atlanta High, Atlanta, Georgia ($147 million)

Although the building price is just a fraction of some other schools on this list, North Atlanta High is still an unusually expensive school. Upon its opening in 2013, it became the most expensive public school in the state of Georgia. Standing 11 stories high and built partially over a lake, the building is luxurious in appearance, styling beautiful spiral staircases and an executive-looking lobby at the entrance. Approximately 1,400 students attend the school. The 56-acre property was once owned by IBM, who housed their offices in the now re-purposed building. Learn more about North Atlanta High here.

5. New Brunswick Public High School, New Brunswick, New Jersey ($185 million)

The most expensive public school construction project in New Jersey’s history was completed in January of 2010 and cost a total of $185 million. The 400,000 sq. foot structure is known for the integration of state-of-the-art technology, such as smartboards in every classroom instead of conventional whiteboards or blackboards. New Brunswick Public School is as big as the other contenders on the list with a 26-acre site and a capacity for up to 2000 students. Read more

4. Newton North High School, Newton, Massachusetts ($197.5 million)

Critically acclaimed for its unique design, the New North High School was awarded the 2011 Award for Design Excellence by the Boston Society of Architects. The $197.5 million price tag makes it easily the most expensive public school ever constructed in the state, and it comes in fourth on our list of the 6 most expensive schools built in America. The school opened its doors to students in 2010 and offers particularly enticing features to the athletic crowd. Included in the structure are an indoor track and practice field, a climbing wall, and a press booth overlooking the football field. The school also has a swimming pool and large library area. Newton residents hope that the school will be a place for the community to come together. Check out more details on Newtown North here.

3. Ramon C. Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts, Los Angeles, California ($232 Million)

Opened in 2009 just across the street from the Edward R. Roybal Learning Center, the School of Visual and Performing Arts sports an impressive steel and glass design throughout the modern campus. Included in this visionary learning environment is a $65-million theatre. However, in recent years the school has struggled to keep a Principal on staff as acquiring funding for the arts has become increasingly difficult.  Learn more about the school.

2. Edward R. Roybal Learning Center, Los Angeles, California ($350 Million)

Coming in at $350 million, the Edward P. Roybal Learning Center is home to over 2,400 students. It was scheduled to be opened in the late 1990’s, but controversies surrounding the proposed building site slowed the process down significantly as first concerns of toxic gas emissions rising from the ground were discussed and then an underlying earthquake fault was discovered. Eventually, the issues were resolved and the project moved forward, finally reaching completion in 2008. Learn more here.

1. Robert F. Kennedy Community School, Los Angeles, California ($578 million)

Topping our list of the 6 most expensive public schools built in America is Robert F. Kennedy Community School. Situated in downtown Los Angeles on a 23-acre campus, Robert F. Kennedy Community School is by far the most expensive public school every built in the nation at $578 million dollars. The school was opened in 2010 and houses 4,200 students from K-12. Critics of the project’s hefty price tag were informed that the building fund was generated by the use of voter-approved bonds. Thus, the voters agreed to this project and educational funding for the area is unaffected. Find out more about the school.