Hastings is turning the page as crews restore the century-old Hastings High School, transforming the hometown landmark into a satellite campus for First Coast Technical College with job training, adult education and on-site childcare under one historic roof. The project is meant to breathe life back into downtown while giving locals closer access to workforce programs and community meeting space.
The county says the makeover is a key piece of a $21 million regional workforce initiative that pairs a new 20,000-square-foot training center on 13 acres with the restored high school serving as the campus hub. According to St. Johns County, a mix of federal and local dollars will cover classrooms, lab space and childcare, and the county’s Office of Public Affairs has posted a progress video on its Facebook.
Built in 1924 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Old Hastings High building has worn many hats over the years, serving as a high school, elementary school, town hall, library and community gathering spot. As reported by Jacksonville Today, the district plans to reopen the restored facility as a satellite First Coast Technical College campus in fall 2026.
What the campus will offer
The revamped site is set to host adult education and workforce programs, including GED and ESL classes, career certificates and hands-on training, along with early-childhood classrooms that will double as training labs for childcare workers. News4JAX reports that plans call for cosmetology and medical-assisting labs, and that the south side of the building will house classrooms for 2, 3 and 4 year olds.
Funding and timeline
Project documents tied to the county’s ARPA recovery plan show that the work is funded with a combination of federal and local money, with renovation activity scheduled to begin in fall 2025 and first-floor work expected to wrap up by December 2026. Per the St. Johns County ARPA recovery plan, the Hastings restoration is designed to support early childhood development, adult education and multiple workforce tracks.
Reporters and residents say construction crews are taking care to preserve original architectural details, including the front doors, decorative scrollwork, the century-old staircase and stained-glass windows in the auditorium, while updating labs and classrooms for modern career training. Locals told News4JAX the revival feels long overdue and could open doors in a part of the county that has had limited access to nearby training programs.
Officials say the restored campus will open in phases and will broaden access to workforce-development resources across Northeast Florida. First Coast Technical College will operate the Hastings satellite campus as part of its regional network, according to FCTC.
