EDISON, NJ – A significant step towards bolstering education and workforce development in the region was taken on Monday, March 3rd, as Middlesex County officials, state leaders, and community partners celebrated the groundbreaking of the new Middlesex County Innovation Magnet School at Middlesex College.
The state-of-the-art public high school, located on the newly designated “Innovation Way” on the Middlesex College campus, is a cornerstone of the County’s Community, Innovation, and Opportunity (CIO) Strategic Investment Plan. Set to open its doors in fall 2026, the 75,550-square-foot facility will be the sixth high school within the esteemed Middlesex County Magnet School district.
The groundbreaking event marked a pivotal moment in the County’s commitment to providing advanced academic pathways and preparing students for the demands of a rapidly evolving workforce. The Innovation Magnet School will introduce cutting-edge programs focused on engineering principles, advanced technology applications in building design, data networking systems, and sustainable agricultural practices.
“Innovation is at the core of everything we do at Middlesex County,” said Board of County Commissioners Director Ronald G. Rios. “The new Innovation Magnet School will foster outstanding learning, creativity, exploration and more than anything, create possibility—so students can reach their highest potential.”
The school’s curriculum will feature specialized career programs in:
- Sustainable Construction and Environmental Technology
- Sustainable Energy Technology
- Logistics, Robotics and Drone Technology
- Information, Communications, and Cybersecurity Technology
- Biotechnology and Plant Science
These programs are designed to provide students with hands-on learning experiences and the opportunity to earn college credits through partnerships with Middlesex College.
“Being a Middlesex County resident has extraordinary value,” stated Middlesex County Commissioner Chanelle Scott McCullum, chair of the Economic Development Committee. “It gives our youth access to unmatched education, like this new public high school, which will offer unique curricula that ensure our students develop the competitive skillsets necessary to meet the demands and challenges of the future workforce.”
The construction contract, awarded to DOBCO, the lowest responsible bidder, totals $42,215,000. Construction will commence immediately under a Project Labor Agreement (PLA), ensuring the project is completed by union labor. Funding for the school comes from a combination of state, federal, and County resources, leveraging Middlesex County’s AAA bond rating.
Middlesex County Magnet Schools Superintendent Jorge Diaz emphasized the school’s role in “pioneering the future of learning,” while Middlesex County Magnet Schools Board of Education President Keith Jones II highlighted the collaborative efforts driving the project.
“Construction trades are the backbone of the CIO project,” said President of the Middlesex County Building and Construction Trades Council Bernie Cooke, expressing gratitude for the County’s commitment to PLAs.
The Innovation Magnet School is a key component of the broader CIO Strategic Investment Plan, which aims to transform Middlesex College into a dynamic hub for education, workforce development, recreation, arts, and community engagement. Other elements of the CIO plan include a Multipurpose Communication Venue, a Middlesex College Student Center, a Workforce Development and Conference Center, a Community Park, and a Destination Athletic Complex.
With the groundbreaking of the Innovation Magnet School, Middlesex County is solidifying its position as a leader in education and innovation, ensuring a bright future for its students and the region as a whole.
