Rundlett Middle School chorus members huddle during the sprinkles at the groundbreaking of the new middle school on Saturday morning, September 26, 2026. GEOFF FORESTER / For the Monitor

Students, staff and school board members gathered in the rain Saturday to celebrate the long-underway construction of a new middle school in Concord.

  • The crowd at the groundbreaking of the new middle school on Saturday morning, September 26, 2026. GEOFF FORESTER / For the Monitor
  • Rundlett Middle School chorus members lead the crowd in the Nation Anthem at the groundbreaking of the new middle school on Saturday morning, September 26, 2026. GEOFF FORESTER / For the Monitor
  • Concord Superintendent of Schools Dr. Timothy Herbert gives remarks at the Rundlett Middle School groundbreaking event on Saturday morning, September 26, 2026. GEOFF FORESTER / For the Monitor
  • The Rundlett Middle School chorus members helped cut the ribbon at the groundbreaking of the new middle school on Saturday morning, September 26, 2026. GEOFF FORESTER / For the Monitor

Crews broke ground on the site back in June, but Saturday marked a symbolic celebration of the work underway. Over the last few months, work has started preparing the location for the new building — crews placed an underground stormwater drainage system, began digging geothermal wells that will one day heat the new building, installed underground pilings to stabilize the soil and started pouring the foundation.

By the end of the school year, walls will be up, project leaders have said.

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Catherine McLaughlin is a reporter covering the city of Concord for the Concord Monitor. She can be reached at cmclaughlin@cmonitor.com. You can subscribe to her newsletter, the City Beat, at concordmonitor.com.