By Batson-Cook Construction
When we first arrived at Mandarin High School in May 2024, we came with a clear mission: to renovate and expand a campus that had served its community for over three decades. What we didn’t expect was how deeply we’d become part of that community ourselves.
Mandarin High, which opened in 1990, is the third-largest high school in Duval County, serving more than 2,300 students. As part of Duval County Public Schools’ (DCPS) Bold Plan—funded by the half-penny sales tax approved by voters in 2020—the school was slated for a major transformation. The project was ambitious, and the timeline was tight.
The scope of work was extensive: A new 22,000 square feet expansion along with addressing deferred maintenance items spread throughout the campus. As part of the Deferred Maintenance initiative, we renovated restrooms to meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards, upgraded dressing rooms in the auditorium, replaced aging heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems in classrooms, modernized electrical infrastructure, addressed drainage issues at the softball field, and installed a new Bi-Directional Amplifier/radio signal system to bring the campus up to code. And we did it all while the school remained fully operational.
High schools, we quickly learned, never sleep. From early morning classes to late-night games and performances, Mandarin was always alive with activity. Every task we undertook required careful coordination to avoid disrupting the rhythm of school life. It was a balancing act—one that demanded flexibility, patience, and constant communication.
At the heart of the project was the new classroom addition. Designed to house the school’s Medical Academy and Culinary Arts programs, this space is more than just a building—it’s a launchpad for students pursuing careers in healthcare and the culinary arts. With simulation labs, collaborative learning areas, and industry-grade equipment, these classrooms are built to inspire.
Still, what stands out most from our 14 months on campus isn’t the construction, it’s the people.
Principal Bravo and Assistant Principal Durkin were incredibly supportive and patient. They worked with us through every schedule shift and unexpected hiccup, always with the goal of minimizing disruption for students and staff. We were invited to school events, celebrated at milestone ceremonies, and made to feel like part of the Mustang family.
As we complete the final phase—removing 19 portable classrooms that had stood for over 20 years and preparing athletic practice field in its place—we are proud of what we’ve built. But more than that, we are grateful for the relationships we’ve formed.
We want to thank the Facilities, Engineering, Design and Construction team at DCPS for trusting Batson-Cook with this project, and the Office of Economic Opportunity for introducing us to new small/minority and women business contractors. We’re also grateful to our design team, trade partners, and vendors for their dedication and craftsmanship. Most of all, we’d like to thank Mims Construction—our partner on this project—for their collaboration and commitment.
As our General Superintendent Jeremiah Perkins often says in project meetings, “Every day in construction is a challenge where you get to solve problems and keep moving forward.” At Mandarin High, we did just that—and in the process, we built something far more lasting: we built relationships.
