By: Najla Alexander
Middlesex County officials announced that the County, in partnership with Middlesex County Magnet Schools, celebrated a major milestone on Monday, March 3, with the groundbreaking of the new Middlesex County Innovation Magnet School on the Middlesex College campus.
The event brought together County officials, state leaders, and community partners to advance the County’s Community, Innovation, and Opportunity (CIO) Strategic Investment Plan—underscoring a commitment to education, workforce development, and economic growth, according to MCPO authorities. 
Middlesex County officials say that, located on the newly named “Innovation Way” at Middlesex College, the Innovation Magnet School will be the sixth high school within the Middlesex County Magnet School district and is slated to open in fall 2026.
The 75,550-square-foot facility will introduce advanced academic programs that cover engineering principles supporting robotics and energy-efficient systems, advanced technology applications in building design, data networking systems, and agricultural practices to enhance environmental quality, Middlesex County officials stated. 
MCPO authorities said these technological and sustainability-focused career programs are designed to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving workforce, expanding opportunities for students across the County.
The construction contract has been awarded to DOBCO, the lowest responsible bidder, at a project cost of $42,215,000. Construction will begin immediately under a Project Labor Agreement (PLA), ensuring that the school will be built entirely by union labor, according to Middlesex County officials. 
Middlesex County officials say the project is funded through a combination of state, federal, and County resources, leveraging Middlesex County’s AAA bond rating—maintained for over 23 consecutive years—allowing the County to make this investment without incurring additional debt.
Among those celebrating this milestone were Board of County Commissioners Director Ronald G. Rios, Middlesex County Commissioner Chanelle Scott McCullum, Middlesex County Magnet Schools Superintendent Jorge Diaz, Middlesex County Magnet Schools Board of Education President Keith Jones II, and Middlesex County Building and Construction Trades Council President Bernie Cooke, MCPO officials stated.
“Innovation is at the core of everything we do at Middlesex County. The new Innovation Magnet School will foster outstanding learning, creativity, exploration, and, more than anything, create possibilities so that students can reach their highest potential,” said Middlesex County Commissioner Director Ronald G. Rios.
“We’ve been on an educational journey, revolutionizing public school education by focusing on specialized, hands-on learning. As we break ground on the Middlesex County Innovation Magnet School, the sixth school within our distinguished Magnet School district, we’re not just adding another building—we’re pioneering the future of learning,” said Middlesex County Superintendent of Schools Jorge Diaz.
“My fellow School Board members and I share a vision: to build an equitable, diverse, and supportive educational program for the residents and students of Middlesex County,” said Middlesex County Magnet Schools Board of Education President Keith Jones II.
“On behalf of the skilled union tradespeople who will take the Innovation Magnet School from blueprint to bricks and mortar and beyond, I want to thank the Board of County Commissioners for their steadfast dedication to all of our construction projects having Project Labor Agreements,” said President of the Middlesex County Building and Construction Trades Council Bernie Cooke.
A Hub for Innovation and Education
Middlesex County Innovation Magnet School will expand its academic offerings and is working with Middlesex College to provide students with opportunities to receive college credits free of cost while enrolled in high school, Middlesex County authorities said.
This new, forward-thinking public high school will introduce 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
Part of a Larger Vision
The Innovation Magnet School is a key component of the CIO Strategic Investment Plan, first announced in November 2022, according to Middlesex County officials. This visionary initiative is transforming Middlesex College into a dynamic hub for education, workforce development, recreation, arts, and community engagement—all while fueling economic growth, improving quality of life, and expanding opportunities for residents and businesses.
Highlights of the CIO Strategic Investment Plan include:
-A new public high school, the Middlesex County Innovation Magnet School
-A Multipurpose Communication Venue, which broke ground in January 2025
-A Middlesex College Student Center, which broke ground in January 2025
-A Workforce Development and Conference Center
-A Community Park featuring an educational children’s amenity
-A Destination Athletic Complex, featuring:
-14 multi-sport synthetic fields
-16 tennis courts
-A state-of-the-art recreational cricket field
-Enhancements to existing outdoor spaces, incorporating public art, seating, and water features
The County continues to invest in driving awareness in the local community with a dedicated advertising campaign, “Get Ready!” with out-of-home and digital exposure to drum up excitement, Middlesex County officials stated. 
For more information about the Community, Innovation, and Opportunity (CIO) Strategic Investment Plan, MCPO authorities say, visit middlesexcountynj.gov/cioplan.