New Princeton High School ready for students
- 180%2C000 square-foot building for 1%2C800 students
- Building ready for 2014-15 school year
- Next%3A Viking Village
Princeton has opened the doors to the new, 180,000 square-foot high school, the second of three phases in the $120 million campus.
The school, which will accommodate 1,800 students, hosted an open house Sunday, June 1, with residents and local officials from municipalities within the school district making their way through the vast building of high-tech classrooms, library, labs and think tanks, small rooms for students and teachers to meet for collaborative learning.
High school students will move across Chester Road in August, as construction now shifts to the common area that will connect the middle school with the high school.
"Phase two was the beginning of our true 6-12 model," Principal William Sprankles said. "All 3,000 students are on the same campus, operating under the same system, protocol and expectations.
"The point of our 6-12 curriculum and principal was to build a stronger pipeline for student achievement."
Princeton Education Foundation Trustee Ed Cunningham called the day a milestone.
"Today marks one of the most exciting times in the Princeton City School District," Cunningham said. "The new building will bring a 21st Century way of learning with exciting new challenges ahead."
It's 21st Century learning in a 22nd Century building, Superintendent Gary Pack said, citing the high school's open learning spaces, technology and LEED certification.
Pack also praised the community's dedication to the project, which included a $120 million bond issue passed in 2010 for the new campus on Chester Road.
"The Princeton family has shown the commitment to students and staff," he said.
Princeton Community Middle School opened in August 2013, and spans 155,000 square feet, to educate up to 1,200 students.
The final phase is Viking Village, a 200,000 square-foot facility that will include a competition gym, natatorium and theater with balcony and orchestra pit.
Moving students to the new building clears the way for demolition of the old building, as part of an expanded athletic complex.