Faculty, staff, parents and alumni of Gainesville High School gathered at the community open house Wednesday evening to view the school's nearly completed renovations.
Gainesville City Schools has invested nearly $100 million dollars across all campuses and the public was able to tour the cafeteria/media center buildings and students activities center.
GHS features a more connected and centralized layout with eight buildings that all have a consistent design.
The cafeteria and media center building connects with the former main building; if you are unfamiliar with GHS, you might assume they are the same building.
“It was really important to have that consistency in the student experience.” GHS Principal Jamie Green said. “Whether you have a class in C building or A building, whether you're a ninth grader or a senior, we want you to have the very best classroom space available to you, we want you to have nice restroom facilities and a great media center, and cafeteria.”
Wherever you walk in GHS you will see signs of the Red Elephant branding.
“We are proud to be big red, and I think we should be. So as you walk around, you see, lots of evidence of our brand,” Green said.
The Student Activity Center has taken the place of the old gym and it holds athletics, band, and ROTC. It also features locker rooms, basketball courts, a track and more.
All of the improvements are designed to help the students flourish and GHS has prioritized students mental health.
“It's okay to need support from schools let's not hide it, let's put it right in the middle of our school,” Green Said “That's where it is, it's right there where our Student Services offices are. It’s literally right in the center of our school so kids have access to it.”
Principal Green said there is renewed pride from students and teachers have heightened energy.
