New high school for Kensington under way

Philadelphia School District officials yesterday broke ground for a $44 million Kensington Creative and Performing Arts High School, a new building that will rise on a former industrial site.

A two-story, 850-student high school is planned for the new Kensington CAPA, one of three smaller high schools created when the old Kensington High was broken up. The school will be at 1901 N. Front St.

It is one of several capital projects the school system has under way or will start this year. Overall, the district plans to spend $523 million on new construction or major renovations to schools around the city. The district issued bonds to fund the projects.

Under construction are:

A new Audenreid High School in South Philadelphia, $62 million.

An addition to Carver High School of Engineering and Science in North Philadelphia, $40 million.

A new Fels High in Northeast Philadelphia, $85 million.

A new Lincoln High in Northeast Philadelphia, $84 million.

A new Willard School in Kensington, $40 million.

An addition to Solis-Cohen Elementary School in Northeast Philadelphia, $10 million.

An addition to Penrose Motivation High School in West Philadelphia, $13.5 million.

Renovation at the Academy at Palumbo in South Philadelphia, $14 million.

The district expects to begin the following major projects this year:

An addition and renovations to Bridesburg School, $15 million.

An addition and renovations to Bluford School in West Philadelphia, $27 million.

An addition and renovations to Lankenau High School in Roxborough, $17 million.

An addition and renovations to Kearny School in Northern Liberties, $6.5 million.

A new West Philadelphia High School, $65 million.