The St. Croix school reconstruction project valued at $789 million continues to progress as contractors advance phased construction works across key campuses. The program focuses on rebuilding hurricane-damaged schools into modern, resilient learning environments. Meanwhile, the initiative aligns with broader Caribbean education infrastructure upgrades, including the recently reported Caribbean education projects worth $1.67 billion led by Bouygues.

The joint venture was selected through a competitive process that emphasized the progressive design-build delivery method, chosen for its ability to integrate design and construction early in the process to improve efficiency and collaboration.

Under the agreement, the joint venture will rebuild Alexander Henderson, Alfredo Andrews, Claude O. Markoe, and Pearl B. Larson Elementary Schools, along with the St. Croix Curriculum Center. Officials said the effort represents one of the largest investments in education in the territory’s history.

Suffolk Construction Company, based in the United States, partnered with CBNA, a subsidiary of the Bouygues Construction Group with long experience in the Caribbean.

“Education is the foundation of resilient communities,” said Tom Thrasher of Suffolk. “Together with CBNA, we aim to deliver schools that inspire learning and withstand the challenges of the future.”

St. Croix school reconstruction project status update (2026)

As of 2026, the project remains under active construction, with several school facilities at different completion stages. Suffolk–CBNA JV continues to deliver new campuses while upgrading existing structures. Meanwhile, authorities report steady progress despite earlier logistical and pandemic-related delays. In addition, modular construction methods have accelerated timelines across multiple sites. However, final delivery will occur in phases to ensure continuity of learning. Consequently, education officials expect full completion within the revised multi-year schedule.

Delivery progress and infrastructure scope

The St. Croix school reconstruction project includes full campus replacements and major refurbishments. In addition, designs incorporate hurricane-resistant standards and modern digital learning infrastructure. Meanwhile, contractors prioritize energy efficiency and climate resilience across all facilities. Furthermore, community engagement remains central to project execution. As a result, the program supports long-term education system recovery and modernization.

“Build With Us USVI” program

Beyond rebuilding, the team has launched “Build With Us USVI,” a local engagement program that recently convened more than 40 Virgin Islands contractors for training on federal contracting and large-scale construction practices. The initiative, supported by the Office of Disaster Recovery and the Department of Education, is intended to expand participation of local firms in the rebuilding effort.

The education bundle follows preconstruction work by the same joint venture on the St. Thomas Healthcare Bundle, another major component of the Rebuild USVI program. Both projects are seen as key to the territory’s long-term recovery and modernization efforts.

While Suffolk continues to strengthen its presence in the U.S. Virgin Islands, its footprint across the United States remains extensive — the company recently began construction on the $210 million Lightspeed Emergency Response Center in Miami-Dade and is involved in several other large-scale projects nationwide.

Project fact sheet

Project name: St. Croix school reconstruction project

Location: St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

Project value: $789 million

Scope: Reconstruction and modernization of public school facilities

Client: Virgin Islands Department of Education

Delivery model: Design-build (bundled school reconstruction program)

Contract type: Public-private partnership–style delivery framework

Main works: New school campuses, refurbishments, resilient infrastructure

Standards: Hurricane-resistant, energy-efficient, digitally enabled schools

Timeline: Multi-phase delivery, ongoing as of 2026

Status (2026): Under construction with phased completions

Project team

Project owner: Virgin Islands Department of Education

Sponsor: Government of the U.S. Virgin Islands

Lead contractor (JV):

• Suffolk Construction Company
• CBNA (Caribbean Basin Network Associates – a Bouygues Construction subsidiary)

Construction partners: Joint venture delivery teams and regional subcontractors

Subcontractors: Local contractors and specialist trades across St. Croix

Engineering consultants: International and regional engineering firms supporting structural and MEP works

Architects: DLR Group (lead design firm) and supporting architectural consultants

Program manager: JV-led integrated project management teams

Financing: Public funding supported by federal disaster recovery allocations

Oversight authorities:

• Virgin Islands Public Finance Authority
• Government regulatory agencies

Sustainability advisors: Resilient infrastructure and environmental consultants

Quality assurance: Independent inspectors and compliance auditors