Apollo High School, located on the north side of the St. Cloud Area School District, is undergoing a transformative renovation to meet the demands of this-century education. After more than a decade of planning and overcoming multiple failed referendums, the district secured the necessary funding in April 2025, paving the way for this ambitious project.
At the heart of the renovation is the creation of a dynamic hub for Career and Technical Education (CTE), placing hands-on learning at the center of the school experience. The project introduces state-of-the-art spaces, including a cutting-edge culinary lab, a dedicated Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) lab, and an Emergency Medical Responder/Emergency Medical Technician (EMR/EMT) lab—complete with an ambulance for realistic simulations. The music suite and science labs will be revitalized, while an expanded kitchen and serving area will open new opportunities for students.
Safety and security are also prioritized, with upgrades such as a new controlled entrance and a multi-purpose gym designed to serve as a storm shelter. The campus will see the addition of a separate indoor athletics facility to support district-wide activities, along with updated outdoor recreation fields.
Construction is set to begin late this summer and will span two years, unfolding in six carefully planned phases across the 350,000 SF building and campus. Throughout the design and planning process, JLG Architects and the construction management team have collaborated closely with the district to ensure that student learning, safety, and security remain uninterrupted.
While the primary focus is on enhancing learning environments, the renovation also honors the building’s architectural heritage. The existing structure, a notable example of 1970s post-modernist concrete architecture, will be refreshed with new materials that balance the original elements and introduce a warm, inviting atmosphere. The design incorporates whimsical touches, most notably the display of an Apollo space program test capsule—reflecting the school’s namesake—suspended in the new entry and surrounded by constellation-inspired lighting.