As the first year in the new Grand Junction High School building comes to a close, its reputation has already made a strong impression.
Funded by a $144.5 million budget, the new facility has received frequent criticism from both students and teachers with many expressing opinions on what could have been done differently.
“I liked the old school a lot more…it felt more homey,” said GJHS junior Breonna Barfoot.
Despite the backlash, the new building offers a wide range of benefits for both students and staff. Here are just a few examples:
- Study areas –
The new building offers plenty of comfortable spaces in the Academic Wings where students can relax. They are filled with a variety of chairs, couches, and whiteboards where students can write encouraging messages. Whether it’s for studying, sleeping, or eating lunch (even though that’s technically not what they’re meant for) students can benefit from these areas.
2. Personal Chef –
GJHS now has its own professional chef, Ted Riley. With his experience as a restaurant owner, he is able to provide students with quality meals everyday. Students can choose from a variety of breakfast options in the morning, and enjoy up to nine different entree options at lunch with pizza and cheeseburgers offered daily.
3. Commons area –
The roomy space gives students a place to socialize, work on assignments, or eat lunch. Its design is simple yet effective. It features a mix of high-top tables, booths, and open seating. With easy access to the cafeteria and nearby classrooms, it could be described as one of the most high traffic spaces in the building.
4. Auditorium –
The new auditorium is a major upgrade from the old school. It supplies great acoustics, lighting, and has 1,500 seats, which provides seating for the entire school. Assemblies, performances, concerts, school plays, and other major school events are hosted here.
5. New and Improved Classrooms –
All the new classrooms feature smart boards or interactive displays that allow for enhanced instruction. All of the desks and chairs are brand new. They are movable, allowing teachers to quickly reorder the room for various activities. The overall setup allows for the teachers to move between classrooms with everything they need, even if that might be a controversial topic.
It may not feel like home to everyone yet, but it’s clear the building is set to serve the needs of GJHS staff and students for years to come.
