Hilltop School for the Arts and Theater Beam Ceremony Marks Topping Out, a Major Construction Milestone

The Agua Fria High School District with McCarthy Building Companies and ADM Group celebrated topping out of Hilltop School for the Arts and Theater. The significant construction milestone was marked with a beam signing ceremony followed by the placement of the final structural beam on the 115,111 square-foot project, commemorating the project’s progress. 

Construction of the district’s new school and theater, located in Litchfield Park at Litchfield Rd. and Camelback, includes the building of a 34,034 square-foot performing arts center that features front of house space, a lobby and seating for over 700 as well as a two-story back of house area with multi-use space and a food service area. Additionally, the project includes the construction of two single-level high-tech classroom buildings, a two-story building with a black box, media center, cafeteria, administrative offices, and additional classrooms.   

In addition to community members and the construction team, the event was attended by Litchfield Park Mayor Schoaf, district staff, members of the district’s Governing Board, and residents from the neighboring La Loma community, reflecting the strong partnership between the district and the community it serves. Attendees gathered to recognize the safe and excellent progress of the project and the shared vision guiding its development. 

“Today’s beam signing represents more than the raising of steel; it reflects the strength of our community and our shared commitment to the future,” stated Mayor Schoaf. “This project on the hilltop is a symbol of progress, collaboration, and pride, and I’m honored to be part of a moment that will stand for generations to come.”  

“The beam represents more than steel and signatures,” said Kristen Acton, AFHSD Governing Board President. “It symbolizes our shared commitment to students, families, and this community. Every decision behind this project was made with learning, opportunity, and long-term impact in mind.” 

The ceremony also highlighted the school’s focus on creativity, performance, and student growth. Hilltop School for the Arts and Theater Principal Julie Jones emphasized the importance of students at the heart of the project. 

“Most of all, we can’t wait to have students walk through these doors,” Jones said. “And as we sign this beam today, I am reminded that it is their courage to create, perform, and grow that is the heart of Hilltop. They are the ones who inspire us and remind us why this work matters.” 

Beam ceremonies traditionally serve as a moment to honor collaboration, construction safety and progress while looking ahead to the future. With the structural framework now complete, construction at Hilltop School for the Arts and Theater will continue into its next phases. The nearly $74.5 million project, which began construction in May 2025, is tracking to complete by Fall 2026. McCarthy Building Companies is the general contractor for the project, and ADM Group is the designer. 

The Hilltop Beam Signing Ceremony marked a meaningful milestone for Hilltop School and the surrounding community. Made possible through the continued trust and partnership of Agua Fria High School District voters, this project reflects the impact of voter-approved Bond funding.   Together, we are building a school that will serve generations of Hilltop students and support excellence in teaching and learning for years to come. 

Agua Fria High School District was established in 1955. The district includes six comprehensive high schools: Agua Fria, Canyon View, Desert Edge, Goodyear, Millennium, and Verrado. In addition, the district offers alternative and online programs, including Agua Fria Online, Coldwater Academy, and New Directions.  More information can be found at www.aguafria.org.

About McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. 

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. is the oldest privately held national construction company in the country, with nearly 160 years spent collaborating with partners to solve complex building challenges on behalf of its clients. With an unrelenting focus on safety and a comprehensive quality program that spans all phases of every project, McCarthy utilizes industry-leading design phase and construction techniques combined with value-add technology to maximize outcomes. 

With approximately 7,400 salaried employees and craft professionals, the firm has offices in St. Louis; Atlanta; Collinsville, Ill.; Kansas City, Kan.; Omaha, Neb.; Phoenix; Las Vegas; Denver; Austin, Channelview, Dallas, and Houston, Texas; and San Diego, Newport Beach, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose and Sacramento, Calif. McCarthy is 100 percent employee-owned. More information is available at www.mccarthy.com. 

MEDIA CONTACTS:  

Patty Johnson, McCarthy Building Companies 

602.402.2965 or pattyjohnson [at] connections-marcom.com (pattyjohnson[at]connections-marcom[dot]com) 

Melinda Marchese, Agua Fria District   

623.932.7033 or mmarchese [at] aguafria.org (mmarchese[at]aguafria[dot]org)