COATESVILLE, PA — The Coatesville Area School District is moving into a major construction phase of a roughly $54.4 million overhaul of North Brandywine Middle School in West Brandywine Township, with a 144,000-square-foot addition and renovations targeted for completion in time for students in August 2028.
The district marked the project with a formal groundbreaking this month attended by administrators, teachers, students, community members, and other guests, according to Superintendent Anthony P. Rybarczyk.
The ceremony represents a visible milestone in a project that began with planning and site preparation about two years ago. The district finalized municipal agreements with West Brandywine Township over the summer and moved forward with bond financing through RBC Capital Markets for this phase of construction.
The project pairs the 144,000-square-foot addition with about 21,000 square feet of renovations to existing facilities. Tester Construction Group is serving as general contractor.
The work is intended to expand capacity while replacing or modernizing aging infrastructure. Plans include flexible instructional spaces, dedicated STEM and arts areas and upgrades to safety and building systems.
The North Brandywine project follows another major facilities investment by the district. The new Doe Run Elementary School opened to students Sept. 8, with the superintendent noting the completion of classrooms and other instructional spaces as students entered the building for the new school year.
The district is also expanding STEM programming through a partnership with West Chester University. Girls in grades 6 through 12 are being offered a free campus field trip Oct. 3 featuring hands-on science activities and opportunities to meet professionals working in STEM fields.
Other September district activity included continued teacher training in structured literacy and evidence-based instructional practices. The superintendent identified the latest group as the district’s sixth Literacy for All cohort.
The Coatesville Red Raider Marching Band also placed first in the US Bands Group 1A competition at Rustin High School and received awards for Best Color Guard and Best Visual, according to the district’s September board recap.
The district’s Student Climate Ambassadors were recognized during Coatesville’s September First Friday for volunteerism and community outreach, while Me We City began its annual program of visiting a different district school each month to encourage students. The superintendent says the organization began the school year at Coatesville Area Senior High School.
The district also commemorated the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. Students participated in remembrance activities, including making “bravery kits” for first responders through a service project organized by the Brighten-A-Day Foundation.
North Brandywine Middle School is scheduled to open its expanded and renovated facilities to students in August 2028.
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