Mt. Blue Campus was born from a bold vision: to create a single learning destination where students from 10 communities across western Maine could explore academic, technical, and career pathways without boundaries. Designed as one of Maine's first truly integrated campuses of its kind, the school brings together traditional academics, career and technical education, college coursework, and workforce preparation in a way that reflects how students learn and how careers are built.
At the heart of that vision is the Foster Career and Technical Education Center, which was intentionally woven into the daily life of the campus rather than set apart from it. Classrooms, labs, and technical training spaces sit side by side, giving students the freedom to move seamlessly between academic subjects and hands-on learning experiences. Whether pursuing college credit, industry certifications, or career exploration, students have access to a broad range of opportunities under one roof.
A central Main Street serves as the campus gathering place, connecting learning spaces, the library, auditorium, gymnasium, dining commons, student services, and community areas. Throughout the day it functions as a hub for student life, and beyond the school day it becomes a venue for performances, meetings, adult education, and regional events, reinforcing the campus's role as a community resource.
The campus also reflects the region it serves. Renewable energy systems, geothermal heating and cooling, a biomass boiler fueled by locally sourced wood chips, and extensive daylighting strategies help reduce environmental impact while creating hands-on learning opportunities. Surrounded by protected wetlands and woodlands, the campus embraces its natural setting and uses it as an extension of the educational experience.
Today, Mt. Blue Campus stands as more than a school. It is a regional center for learning, workforce development, and community life, bringing together students, educators, employers, and residents around a shared investment in the future of western Maine.
Aerial Photo: © Maine Imaging
New construction totaling 150,000 square feet.
Serves around 950 students in grades 9-12.
Construction cost of $64 million.
Kathryn Cogan, LEED AP BD+C
Education Studio Leader
Kathy manages K-12 and higher education projects, including a series of $40 million to $60 million new construction school projects, guiding them from feasibility studies and early concepts to public referendum and through design and construction. These projects have complex stakeholder groups and often require oversight from multiple state agencies.