When Lincoln Public Schools began the process of building two new high schools, the district decided that the two schools would be identical and be contracted as one project. North Star High School and Southwest High School were built as one project, phased such that the subcontractor community could handle the workload. The two schools opened one year apart, which enabled more local bidders and brought value to the project. Each school is a complete educational campus, with a five-court gymnasium, outdoor track and tennis courts, a competition swimming pool and a 600-seat auditorium with fly space capability. Media centers, art facilities, classrooms, and offices are modern to accommodate current educational trends and methods.