The years of design, preparation, and hard work required to build the highly anticipated new high school were finally celebrated recently, as the modern building was completed and students, faculty, and staff moved into their new home in late February. However, before the move into the new building, I interviewed Mr. Miles in early February to get a better understanding of the steps needed to prepare for the relocation, and his views on the new opportunities the high school would allow for students and staff.
Mr. Miles mentioned that there were still some processes and final touches needed before the move in. For example, the ribbon cutting ceremony scheduled to occur on Saturday, February 3rd was an important event. Many community members, administration, and even representatives of Pennsylvania were in attendance at the event. The celebration marked the official opening of the new building, and student-led tours open to the public followed the ceremony that day along with the following Wednesday and Saturday. Additionally, the contractors were still wrapping up their final touches on the building in early February, and furniture was still being set up in the appropriate spaces for classes. Mr. Miles compared the status of the building to the process of moving into a new house. While the major work and construction in the building was done, final clean up and minor processes were still needed in anticipation of the final move.
A Rendering of the New Lower Moreland High School Library
Much of the design of the new building was centered around creating new opportunities and experiences for students at LM. When I asked Mr. Miles about his expectations for the building and what he saw as the most useful new benefits it would present, he emphasized the creativity of the building’s structure itself. Mr. Miles brought up how the layout of the new building parallels a college campus, giving students more opportunities and freedoms. The architecture of the building allows for more flexible teaching and learning spaces along with additional areas for collaboration amongst students. Additionally, Mr. Miles stated that one of his favorite features of the new building is the additional natural light it provides. The large windows allow more light to enter the building during the day, and this feature will help enhance the mental health of those in the school. The creation of more bright areas in the new school will only make the environment and learning spaces more positive and wonderful for students.
The process of creating the new building was long and arduous, as many components and views needed to be taken into consideration in order to create a building that aligned with the goals of the administration and the community. As principal of Lower Moreland High School, Mr. Miles has been involved in the planning process for the new school since 2020, and he worked to create an environment that would benefit students and staff. He stated that the completion of the new school has left him with a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment, and he is excited to see how the environment will promote learning, growth, and excitement for students.
The move into the new building was an adjustment for everyone at the high school. It has brought change, and students and staff are still learning to adapt to the structure and conditions. Although it was hard to navigate the new hallways and room numbers the first couple of weeks, many are beginning to settle into the new conditions of 545 Red Lion Road. The mid-school year move has allowed students to gain new learning opportunities in their existing classes already, and the new library and learning spaces have begun to be utilized by many. It will be exciting to see how student life in the new building will continue to develop in the upcoming months!
