School work has been construction's fastest-growing market during the last decade and this extraordinary growth has put some extra pressure on building costs, according to a special study conducted for ENR by Dodge Analytics, a division of McGraw-Hill Construction.

Last year, the average cost of new senior high schools, excluding renovation and additions, was $115.91 per sq ft, or 45% more than in 1992, says Dodge Analytics. During the same period, the average cost of a junior high school increased 47% to $106.53 per sq ft and the cost of a new primary school rose 36% to $104.23 per sq ft, it reports.