The Hudson County Board of Commissioners has approved a $73 million funding plan to build the new Liberty Science High School in Jersey City. The project, a partnership between the Hudson County Schools of Technology (HCST) and RSC Architects, will create a modern STEM-focused high school within the SciTech Scity campus, located beside Liberty State Park and the Liberty Science Center.
The funding approval came during the Board of Commissioners’ October 21 caucus meeting, where members advanced an ordinance that authorizes a lease and development agreement with the Hudson County Improvement Authority. The project will be financed through County Secured Lease Revenue Bonds, repaid mainly through future property tax revenues.
The new high school will be built under a Project Labor Agreement, using union labor to support fair work standards.
- Hudson County approved $73 million in funding for the Liberty Science High School after earlier delays.
- The 96,500-square-foot school will serve 400 students and focus on astrophysics, sustainable engineering, and biological sciences.
- The project is part of the 14-acre SciTech Scity campus next to Liberty Science Center and Liberty State Park.
Design and Academic Programs
The Liberty Science High School will be a 96,500-square-foot facility built from the ground up on the SciTech Scity site. The school will serve 400 students in grades nine through twelve, offering three specialized academic programs:
- Astronomy and Astrophysics Sciences
- Sustainable Engineering and Climate Sciences
- Biological System Sciences
Designed by RSC Architects, the building includes a variety of collaborative and creative spaces such as a makers studio, capstone project area, visual arts studio, outdoor classrooms, and shared workspaces. The structure’s design supports hands-on learning, teamwork, and interdisciplinary education.
As a vocational academy, the school will give students access to programs of academic learning with practical experience. It will also serve as an extension of Liberty Science Center, helping further its mission to promote science education and exploration.
Funding Challenges and Redesign
Although a groundbreaking ceremony was held inside the Liberty Science Center in 2023, construction was delayed after the initial project bids came in over budget. Hudson County Commissioner Bill O’Dea confirmed that officials ordered redesigns to reduce costs while maintaining the school’s planned features.
The newly approved $73 million bond package now secures the funding required to move forward. The Hudson County Improvement Authority will oversee the financing, with the HCST managing operations once the school opens. Updated building designs are expected to be released soon.
Part of the SciTech Scity Campus
The Liberty Science High School is part of SciTech Scity, a 14-acre innovation district focused on science, technology, and education. The site is next to the Liberty Science Center and will feature learning, housing, and business spaces.
Alongside the high school, SciTech Scity will include the Edge Works innovation center, a seven-story, 111,000-square-foot incubator for STEM startups and entrepreneurs. It will also feature Scholar’s Village, a 500-unit housing complex designed for residents connected to the campus.
When fully completed, SciTech Scity will include parks, walkways, and green public spaces, creating a collaborative environment that connects students, researchers, and the broader community.
RSC Architects’ Role
RSC Architects, located at 3 University Plaza Drive, Suite 600, Hackensack, NJ 07601, was selected by HCST to design and engineer the high school. The firm has experience designing schools and public buildings across New Jersey.
Renderings show bright classrooms, labs, open study areas, outdoor courtyards, and flexible learning spaces. The design focuses on sustainability and collaboration, supporting the school’s hands-on, project-based programs.
