California Construction News staff writer
A major milestone was celebrated recently at Fern Bacon Middle School in Sacramento as students, educators, construction teams and community members gathered for a beam-signing ceremony marking progress on the Sacramento City Unified School District’s first new middle school project in nearly five decades.
The $85-million modernization and reconstruction project will transform the aging South Sacramento campus into a state-of-the-art educational facility designed to meet the needs of 21st-century learning. Project partners include Clark/Sullivan Construction, Innovative Construction Services, Inc., and architectural firm Nacht & Lewis.
Originally built in 1960, Fern Bacon Middle School serves approximately 700 seventh- and eighth-grade students. With more than 85,000 square feet of instructional space, the campus has experienced significant aging over the years and no longer supports many modern educational practices.
Recognizing the need to invest in aging facilities, particularly in underserved communities, Sacramento City Unified School District committed more than $85 million to redevelop the campus. The project represents the district’s first new middle school construction effort in 48 years.
Nacht & Lewis started the project with a comprehensive assessment of both the campus and the surrounding community. Working closely with district educators, school staff, parents and stakeholders, the design team identified facility deficiencies and developed a plan to create a modern learning environment that reflects current educational goals and community needs.
The result is a near-complete reconstruction of the campus. While the existing gymnasium and multi-purpose buildings will be preserved and modernized, most of the current structures will be demolished and replaced with new facilities.
The redesigned campus will feature flexible learning environments, including dedicated spaces for science, art, music and gardening programs. New facilities will also support high school and career pathway initiatives, helping students explore future academic and professional opportunities.
Additional amenities will include a STEAM laboratory, outdoor learning areas, wellness center, community family room and professional development center. A large central courtyard will serve as the heart of the campus, creating opportunities for student interaction, community engagement and enhanced campus safety.
Sustainability is also a key component of the project, with the new campus designed to provide energy-efficient learning spaces while supporting long-term operational goals for the district.
When completed in fall 2027, the revitalized Fern Bacon Middle School will accommodate more than 650 students and provide a modern educational hub for South Sacramento. District officials say the investment is expected to contribute to neighborhood revitalization while fostering renewed pride among students, families and community members.
The beam-signing ceremony offered a visible reminder of that progress, giving participants an opportunity to leave their mark on a project that will serve generations of students to come.
