We’ve got some exciting news for our Metro Schools families and future families! Starting in January, we’re opening a brand-new campus at 420 E 19th Avenue for our middle and high school students. This new site will allow us to continue providing high-quality education while expanding opportunities for more students in our community.

But that’s not all—this expansion also opens up a wonderful opportunity for growth at our current location at 1929 Kenny Road. With the middle and high school programs moving to the new building, we’re excited to open a new elementary school on the Kenny Road campus! This means new opportunities for younger students to take advantage of our hands-on, project-based STEM curriculum.

The new building at 420 E 19th Avenue is truly state-of-the-art, designed to provide the best possible learning environment for our middle and high schoolers. From modern classrooms to innovative facilities, we can’t wait to welcome students into this amazing space.

We’re excited about these changes and the opportunity to welcome even more families into our Metro Schools community. If you’re interested in enrolling for the 2025-2026 school year, we invite you to complete an application today by visiting our "How to Apply" page.

When is the anticipated move? 

The current plan is to open the new building January 7 & 8 for tours and student Roundtables/Gateways. Dates are dependent on construction milestones and are subject to change. 

What will local school district transportation look like to the new building?

We started communications with school districts that currently bus to Metro last spring and reached out again in the fall. Each district is looking at the new routes; some will be conducting timing tests.  Based on the 30 minute rule, the new location may deem students who are currently eligible at Kenny Rd to be ineligible for Indianola.  We have asked districts to inform families as soon as possible so that they have ample time to make arrangements.

What about classes at the PAST Foundation?

Metro has hosted high school classes and ECEs (Early College Experiences) at PAST.  Once the move is made to Indianola, only the ECEs will remain at the PAST building.  Students enrolled in ECEs who still have a high school class will use the OSU CABS bus to travel to Indianola. Schedules will be crafted so that only one transition to the building is necessary.

Will the new building have cubbies/lockers or metal detectors?

Indianola will be outfitted with cubbies, not lockers.  There will not be metal detectors installed.

Will there be onsite school security?

Yes, we plan to have a full time security officer.

When can parents see the building?

An open house cannot be planned while the building is a live construction site.  If possible, a date will be scheduled at the end of December.  If not, the student Roundtable/Gateway days (Jan. 7 & 8) will be the first opportunity for parents to see the building.  We will link trailers and drone footage of the building as it becomes available.

Where is the nearest OSU bus stop to Indianola?

The closest CABS (Campus Area Bus Service) stop is at 18th & Indianola, one block from the school.  

What if construction is not finished on time?

Like most projects, there may be delays, especially since we are attempting to complete the project through two holidays.  Buffer days have been built in and a plan is in place should the move date need to be pushed back. Ultimately, when the building is finished and ready for occupancy, we will be moving.

Is there an elevator in the building? 

There will be an elevator available for use by those unable to use stairs. 

Where will Senior Communications classes happen?

We typically host several sections of Senior Comm.  Students will be assigned to a day and location that makes the most sense for their schedule. (Ex: full-time college classes or ECE = PAST or Kenny Rd; high school classes only = Indianola building.)

August 2024 Update

The construction team has been onsite for over 400 days with no lost time or work-related injuries. It’s because of their diligence and the help of many others that we are happy to confirm our plan for a mid-year move to the Indianola campus!

Our team has worked with the city to complete all necessary permit documentation for the electrical duct bank and the water line. HVAC equipment is scheduled to arrive this week.

Metro’s team is working in committees to develop plans for the move. Committees include: logistics and operations, technology, student experience and commemorations.

We will continue to send monthly updates to keep you informed. As we near building completion, Metro families will be invited to tour the space prior to our Ribbon Cutting event.

Timeline (subject to change):

• September 2024: Reconvene staff committees

• October 2024: Planning for ribbon cutting ceremony

• November 2024: Ribbon Cutting and Open House

• December 2024: Phased move-in

• January 2025: School opens!

June/July 2024 Update

Work at the Indianola site continues to move forward. The majority of classroom spaces on the second and third floors are completed and interior work has moved to the installation of the heating, plumbing, air and electrical systems.

A great deal of focus has moved to exterior improvements. The construction trailer will be removed soon in preparation for the new parking area and other outdoor work:

• A new waterline will be installed on 20th Avenue up to the north elevation of

  the building.

• A duct bank will be added to connect to a new electrical pole on 20th Avenue to power the building.

• A new chimney cap will be poured.

We commend Ruscilli and all involved subcontractors for 368 days of no lost time or incident on the work site!

Aerial view of construction: https://youtu.be/QH0VYNjPHr8?si=v0NINwjSHmayBbvO

As things are moving quickly at this stage, we will send monthly updates to keep you informed. We are thankful for the support of the Metro Community and cannot wait to welcome you to see our new space.

Timeline (subject to change):

• May 2024: Established teacher committees and selected students to serve as Indianola tour guides.

• August/September 2024:

  Continued planning for the upcoming move

• October/November 2024: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony & Open House

• January 2025: School opens!

January 2024 Update

Construction work is progressing at the Indianola campus! The second and third floors have been drywalled and finishing work has begun. The former auditorium has been prepared for a new floor and exterior work on the building, chimney and parking areas is underway.

In partnership with the city of Columbus, renovations to 19th and 20th avenues are planned for better traffic flow and building access.

Metro is excited for a collaboration with Nationwide Children's Hospital that will allow us to host a Close to Home Clinic at the school, offering health care services to Metro families and the surrounding community.

September 2023 Update

Below are photos of the current demolition and abatement on the first, second and third floors of the Indianola building (in order from left to right).

August 2023 Update

Metro administration was thrilled to present a virtual groundbreaking ceremony on August 30 to celebrate the expansion of the Indianola site. Families were invited to witness the virtual groundbreaking ceremony and donors, business partners and community members joined administrators by turning over personal soil packets to represent the collective involvement in the project's journey.

Visit our Metro@Indianola Groundbreaking page to watch a special video and read more!

September 2022 Update

The first “construction" project at the Indianola building is set to begin October 1, 2022.  This will be an early abatement and replacement of the roof.  Beyond this first package, most of the construction will occur during 2023-2024.

The design team has been working with user groups to refine some of the initial proposed designs in order to ensure that the building will be best suited to the Metro program.  

Metro @ Indianola Community Council

Metro leadership is working with city and community groups to ensure that the area is equipped to handle the added load of a school building before the opening. This includes investigating one way streets, on street parking , street widths and traffic lights.  

The Metro at Indianola Community Council has been established to provide feedback on the direction of the construction project and to inform decisions that may impact the community. The group will meet a minimum of four times a year from 2022 to 2024 to make relevant, ongoing connections within the Indianola community and to establish an authentic presence in the area.

Community Council Members and their Affiliation:

• Wanda Dillard, Co-Chair - Retired, OSU Wexner Medical Center

• Doreen Uhas-Sauer, Co-Chair - University Area Commission

• David Vottero - Clintonville Area Commission

• Lair Marin Marcum - Hispanic Chamber of Columbus

• Trudy Bartley - Associate Vice President, Local Government & Community Relations at OSU

• Beth Necamp - Executive Director of Community & Civic Engagement, OSU Wexner Medical Center

• Jackiethia Butsch - Sr. Outreach Coordinator Community & Civic Engagement, OSU Wexner Medical

  Center

• Zach Davidson - Legislative Aide, Columbus City Council

• Wes Hall - Vice President Philanthropy & Education, Battelle

• Meka Pace - Superintendent, Metro Schools

• Anthony Alston - Director of External Affairs, Metro Schools

February 2022 Update

Planning is underway on the Indianola renovation project. A team of teachers, parents and administrators took part in meetings with the architectural engineering firm, Moody Nolan, to determine the physical spaces needed in the building and new paces that will allow us to extend programming in the future. The Construction Management Firm has also been secured and should be onboard in March. 

OFCC News Release - July 2021

On July 8, the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) approved more than $242 million in state funding for nine school  construction projects; the list includes Metro's upcoming renovation of the former Indianola Middle School for future 6-12 expansion. Combined with $208 million in local funding, these projects represent more than $450 million in public construction work.

“We are pleased to support these local projects that will provide area students with an upgraded school environment and  new learning opportunities,” said Governor DeWine. “Today’s OFCC action will continue to move education forward for many students throughout Ohio.”

"When it comes to student learning, school facilities matter," said OFCC Executive Director Cheryl J. Lyman. “These schools will reflect the best practices in design and construction.”

Funding awards are contingent upon State Controlling Board approval. All districts must raise the local share for their project.  Metro received approval for a $14,443,571 state share and $14,443,571 local share.

Metro is participating in the state’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) School Facilities Assistance Program. This program provides funding to STEM schools in constructing, reconstructing, repairing, or making additions to classroom facilities. 

About OFCC  The Ohio Facilities Construction Commission oversees capital projects undertaken by state agencies and state-supported institutions of higher education; manages Ohio's school facility programs which provide support for the construction and renovation  of public K-12 schools; and administers the funding for community-based cultural and sports facilities projects.

May 2021 News Article: Columbus Business First May 2021