Construction of New Canutillo Middle School Begins

This project isn’t just about building a school, it’s about building the future of Canutillo ISD.” Dr. Jesica ArellanoInterim Superintendent

The final groundbreaking of the Canutillo Bond 2024 program drew hundreds of students, families and community leaders Saturday as Canutillo ISD officially launched construction of the new Canutillo Middle School at the historic Johnny Bean Farm in the Upper Valley.

The event, held May 15 on the future campus site, marked the tenth and last groundbreaking in a six week stretch of ceremonies across the district. The milestone signals the start of what officials are calling the “Kickoff to Construction” phase of the bond program approved by voters in 2024.

Interim Superintendent Jesica Arellano told the crowd the project represents a major step forward for the district.

“This is an exciting day for Canutillo Middle School, for our students and for our entire Canutillo ISD family,” Arellano said. “As our region continues to grow and change, so must we. Relocating Canutillo Middle to this new site allows us to right-place our campus at the heart of the growth transforming the Upper Valley.”

The new campus will replace the long-standing Bosque Road facility that has served the community for decades. Arellano said the existing school has been “more than a campus — it has been a home,” but added that the future school must reflect the needs of a district experiencing rapid expansion.

“This project isn’t just about building a school,” she said. “It’s about building the future of Canutillo ISD.”

Saturday’s celebration brought out the district’s full slate of elected leaders and executive staff 

For many in the crowd, the ceremony carried personal meaning tied to the history of the site.

Board President Armando Rodriguez spoke emotionally about the land where the school will rise. The former Johnny Bean Farm, once home to fields and stables has deep ties to longtime Upper Valley families including his own.

“This land holds a special place in the story of our community,” Rodriguez said. “It’s more than a construction site. It’s a piece of history. My own mother and her siblings picked onions in these fields. As a child I ran through these stables and I was even locked in one of the meat lockers here as a joke by my Uncle Patricio.”

Rodriguez said the project honors the labor of farmers, ranchers and field workers who helped shape the region.

“Their values live on in our schools today,” he said. “As we prepare to build this new Canutillo Middle School, we honor that heritage while embracing the future. This school will be a bridge between our past and our progress.”

Principal Christopher Judge, who will leave the district next month for a new role in Boston, received a standing ovation before sharing his vision for the new school.

“This is more than just a building,” Judge said. “It’s a space designed to inspire curiosity, creativity and a love of learning. Every corner of this campus has been thoughtfully planned to meet the needs of today’s students while anticipating the demands of tomorrow.”

Judge highlighted features such as advanced science labs, a modern library, updated athletic facilities and outdoor learning spaces. The campus will also include expanded security systems and traffic flow improvements.

“This campus is a reflection of our district’s commitment to our students,” he said. “It says loud and clear that our children deserve the very best.”

Following the remarks, district leaders, partners and students gathered for the ceremonial shovel turn as the Canutillo High School drumline rolled into the countdown.

The groundbreaking set the stage for a communitywide fall festival that followed on the construction site. Families enjoyed carnival games, hands-on science demonstrations, a jumping balloon and a petting zoo provided by the Canutillo High School Agricultural Sciences Program. The festival marked the first official celebration of the district’s construction phase as work begins on all bond projects.

Over the past six weeks Canutillo ISD has launched every major project promised in the bond program.

Each site, officials said, represents a commitment to students and families.

“This is progress. This is vision. And this is the future of Canutillo ISD,” Arellano said.

Construction on the new Canutillo Middle School is expected to be completed in late 2027.