School Construction Boom

James Avent Jr, the first African American student to integrate Kiser Middle School, signs the beam. Photo by Ivan Saul Cutler, Carolina Peacemaker.

Guilford County Schools (GCS) celebrated two topping out ceremonies in as many weeks, with the final construction beams hoisted into place at Kiser Middle School and Foust Gaming and Robotics Magnet School, the first of its kind in the nation. Topping Out signifies the installation of the final key element of a structure, usually a beam high on the building.

At both construction sites, many of the assembled students, faculty, staff, families, school alumni, GCS officials and public officials joyfully signed the huge beams tethered to gigantic cranes. When the massive beams were hoisted, the assembled crowds cheered and applauded, with many spectators photographing the event.
Kiser Middle’s new structure is located on a former athletic field between the existing Kiser facility, which opened in 1957, and Grimsley High School. The $55.5 million school is scheduled to open in January 2025.

The $32 million Foust campus is constructed on the grounds of the former school in southern Greensboro. The former Foust building was razed two years ago. The new school is scheduled to open in early 2025.

Kiser Middle School and Foust Gaming and Robotics Magnet School are two of six Guilford County Schools nearly completed this year or in 2025, including Claxton Elementary opening this fall followed by Peck K-8 Expeditionary School and Brooks Global Studies. Two additional schools, Brooks Global and the former Peeler Elementary, now known as the Visual and Performing Arts Magnet School, are under construction.