The new state of the art Nairn Academy campus will open its doors to pupils in October this year.
The revised opening date represents a change from the previously scheduled target of August 2026, with pupils now due to start classes after the October Holidays.
Contractors Balfour Beatty have notified Highland Council of a short delay in the final building works, with completion now expected in September.
To enable a smooth transition for staff and pupils, and to minimise disruption during term time, the new opening date has been set for 26 October.
All key stakeholders, including parents, have been kept informed of progress throughout the build and remain positive and excited about the benefits the development will bring to the school and wider community.
Changing the opening date does not carry any additional budgetary implications for The Highland Council.
Chair of Highland Council’s education committee, Councillor John Finlayson, said: “The build is a hugely exciting project for Nairn, and for Highland, and we are all eager to see the new facilities open and ready for use.
“Since construction began last year the development has progressed well, but it is important pupils’ learning is not disrupted by the final work, and the subsequent move from the existing school.
“Lessons learned from recently completed projects suggest that a longer transition period is required for schools, and particularly secondary schools.
“An October opening will make sure that there is adequate time for pupils and staff to prepare for the move to the new building before it becomes fully operational.
“When it opens, we will see an outstanding facility, and a high-quality learning environment that will serve the young people of Nairn, and its wider community, for years to come.”
The Nairn Academy campus is a flagship £61m project for Highland Council, as part of the Scottish Government's Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP).
The new three-storey school will have capacity for 800 pupils and will also include sports facilities that include a new synthetic grass pitch, multi-use games area, a 100-metre running track, games hall, gymnasium and fitness suite.
The investment in Nairn is part of a wider drive to upgrade the school estate across Highland, with more projects set to follow across the region as part of the ambitious Highland Investment Plan, a £2.1 billion, 20-year capital investment programme to deliver improvements to schools, local infrastructure and services.