Opened in 1969, Catoctin High School was a 127,040 GSF facility serving grades nine to twelve with a capacity of 856. The current project was initiated in response to projections that enrollment is expected to climb to over 1,000 by the year 2002.

The additions/alterations needed were approached in phases corresponding with program and enrollment needs, as well as availability of funding. The school remained in continuous operation during the construction period with the physical education addition under way as the initial project, and the classroom addition/alteration following in multiple phases.

While the school did have a standard size high school basketball court, the existing gymnasium was inadequate in terms of space between the court and the walls, seating capacity, and ceiling height. A new varsity gymnasium and locker rooms were constructed, the existing locker rooms continued in their present use and the existing gymnasium became the junior varsity gymnasium.

The classroom phases included the addition of 10 classrooms, two art rooms, and three science labs as well as a computer room, additional choral and band support spaces, and additional media support spaces. The existing spaces which previously housed the administration and guidance areas were reconfigured and renovated. Also, the Technology Education, the Agriculture Science, and the Media Center areas were converted from existing spaces.