Canutillo ISD breaks ground on $30 million Bond construction of new Northwest Early College

This is an amazing day for all of us who worked so hard to make sure the future students at Northwest have a campus they can be proud of. The legacy we’re leaving behind is a brick-and-mortar campus that will serve this community for many, many years.Moises AguirreNorthwest Student

Northwest Early College High School marked the beginning of a new chapter Wednesday morning as shovels hit the dirt for a $30 million permanent campus that will replace the portable classrooms students and staff have used for nearly two decades.

The state-of-the-art facility will feature modern classrooms, labs, collaborative learning spaces and administrative offices. It is scheduled to open in fall 2027. The project is managed on behalf of Canutillo ISD by Procedeo, designed by MNK Architects and will be built by Jordan Foster Construction.

For Interim Superintendent Jesica Arellano, the moment was both historic and symbolic of the community’s commitment to its students.

“This is a proud day for our district,” Arellano said. “Northwest Early College High School has achieved remarkable success in portable classrooms, but we know our students and teachers deserve better. This new building will give our educators the 21st century facilities they need to continue their high-rigor teaching and give students the spaces they need to collaborate, innovate and thrive.”

Arellano emphasized that the project was made possible by the passage of Canutillo ISD’s $387 million bond in May 2024, the largest per-capita school bond ever approved in El Paso County. She said the facility is more than just a building.

“It is peace of mind for parents, pride for our community and confidence for our students,” Arellano said. “When students walk into a safe, modern and welcoming school, it tells them: you matter to us, your education matters to us and your future matters to us.”

Northwest ECHS is consistently recognized as one of the top schools in Texas. It is an A-rated campus, a National Blue Ribbon School and has been named one of America’s Best High Schools. Since opening in 2006, it has been a partnership between Canutillo ISD and El Paso Community College, one that EPCC President William Serrata said is stronger than ever.

Principal Frank Clark said the permanent campus will be transformational for students and staff.

“For years, our students have excelled in spite of the limitations of portables, but we are ready for a change,” Clark said. “This new facility will eliminate the portables and give us a permanent home. It will provide safer, more secure learning environments and a stronger sense of pride and ownership. When you walk into a campus like this, you know you belong.”

The project is especially meaningful for the students who advocated for the bond and for the future generations who will benefit from their work. Northwest student Moises Aguirre called the ceremony a milestone for the school community.

“This is an amazing day for all of us who worked so hard to make sure the future students at Northwest have a campus they can be proud of,” Aguirre said. “The legacy we’re leaving behind is a brick-and-mortar campus that will serve this community for many, many years.”

Community leaders, district trustees and EPCC officials joined students, families and alumni for the groundbreaking, which included performances from the Canutillo and Alderete Middle School bands and the Northwest Early College Starlets cheer team.

The celebration underscored the determination of families, educators and supporters who pushed for the creation of the early college high school nearly 20 years ago and fought for permanent facilities today.

“Northwest is one of the best schools in the state because of the belief we have in our students,” Clark said. “Now we will have a campus that reflects that belief.”

When construction wraps up in 2027, Canutillo ISD officials say the school will not only stand as a physical upgrade, but also as a testament to the power of community collaboration.