JHL Constructors has broken ground on Talon Ridge Middle School, a state-of-the-art 133,000-square-foot facility in Thornton, designed to serve over 800 students in grades 6-8. Located on a 25-acre site, this cutting-edge school is a collaborative project with 27J School District, Anser Advisory, and HED Architects, who designed the school with both functionality and innovation in mind.
The new school will feature a two-story classroom wing equipped with the latest educational technology, along with an administration area, gymnasium, cafeteria, media center, athletic fields, and more. Designed to meet the growing needs of the district, Talon Ridge Middle School will provide an enriched environment where students can learn, grow, and thrive.
The groundbreaking ceremony was marked by an extraordinary community turnout, where local families, students, and staff came together to paint a mural in celebration of the new building, adding a personal and creative touch to the occasion.
“We’re excited to bring Talon Ridge Middle School to life as part of our ongoing partnership with the 27J School District,” said Stephen Schaunaman, project manager at JHL Constructors. “It’s an honor to help deliver a school that provides students with the tools and environment to thrive and that will serve the community for many years to come.”
Construction is now underway, with completion anticipated for the 2026 school year.
In November 2021, the 27J Schools community approved a $515 million school construction bond to fund the construction of new schools and facilities as well as important improvements to existing district buildings. 27J is committed to on-time, on-budget delivery of the projects and improvements promised to the 27J Schools community as part of the 2021 Bond Capital Construction Improvement Program.