County Breaks Ground On Innovation Magnet School At Edison’s Middlesex College

EDISON, NJ – Middlesex County, in partnership with Middlesex County Magnet Schools, celebrated the groundbreaking of the new Middlesex County Innovation Magnet School on Edison’s 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.

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 construction contract has been awarded to DOBCO, the lowest bidder, at a cost of $42,215,000.

Construction will begin immediately under a Project Labor Agreement (PLA), ensuring that the school will be completely built by union labor.

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.

“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 possibility—so students can reach their highest potential,” Middlesex County Commissioner Director Ronald G. Rios said.

“I look forward to seeing the Middlesex County Innovation Magnet School become a reality and embracing all the possibilities of the CIO Plan!”

The 75,550-square-foot facility will introduce advanced academic programs that cover engineering principles supporting robotics and energy-efficient systems, applications of advanced technology in building design, data networking systems, and agricultural practices to enhance environmental quality.

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.

“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,” Middlesex County Superintendent of Schools Jorge Diaz said.

“These career programs have been strategically developed to meet the changing workforce and evolving technological advancements, using innovation as the lens to create relevant and high-demand curricula that will make an impact.”

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