Building For the Future
The Johnston Community School District has embraced student enrollment growth in multiple ways, such as expansions to current buildings and building new facilities. Below is a list of 
building projects that recently finished or are planned for the future.
Johnston Therapeutic Program
2024 – The Johnston Therapeutic Program for students in grades K-8 has an emphasis on social, emotional, behavioral and mental health (SEBMH) support and skills, in addition to academic instruction at students’ grade level. Renovations in the southeast wing of the District Office finished in August 2024. The newly remodeled space can accommodate four classrooms with a maximum of six students in each classroom to support individual needs. Each classroom has a teacher and an associate, along with a behavior interventionist and mental health specialist. A sensory room was also added, giving students a safe space to take a break and reset during the school day. While services to students across the district began in 2023-2024, the dedicated classroom spaces were new in the District Office. The program is led by Mary Jane Stites.
Johnston Excel Program and Johnston Launch Program
2025 – Construction began in March 2025 in the northwest wing of the Johnston Community School District Office to create exciting new spaces for two programs: 1) The Johnston Excel Program, previously called the Alternative High School, led by Associate Superintendent Jill Van Woerkom 2) Johnston High School’s Launch Program, formerly known as 4+, for special education students ages 18 to 21 who will work on living, learning and working through their Individual Education Plan (IEP). This program is led by Shawna Shanahan, director of special education. The project consists of an interior renovation of approximately 10,500 square feet of currently unoccupied space in the 66,144 square foot District Office to support two academic programs. The combined renovation project in the northwest wing of the District Office is being done by Dean Snyder Construction for $1.92 million and is being funded through the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) Fund. The space was previously occupied by Wallace Elementary before the school’s move to its current space in August 2018. Read more.
Dragon Softball Clubhouse
2025 – Construction of a new 2,400 square foot softball clubhouse is underway by Accurate Commercial. This $1.285 million project consists of locker room, taping/trainer room and supportive restrooms with public restrooms, storage room and mechanical and electrical systems. A part of the project is the renovation of an existing dugout with support spaces of team video room and coaching offices, including new standing steam roof and required modifications to the life-safety and MEP systems. This initiative is focused on promoting equality for our female athletes by ensuring they have access to full locker rooms, bathrooms, and a training room for both baseball and softball. Additionally, the existing dugout will be transformed into a team room and a coaches’ meeting space, thereby enhancing the experience and support for our young women. The project is expected to be complete by Jan. 7, 2026.