The Grand Rapids (Michigan) district has completed a $40 million renovation of Innovation Central High School.
The Grand Rapids Press reports that the three-year overhaul of Innovation High, which opened in 1911 as Central High School, includes a new heating and cooling system, light-enhancing windows and the first phase of a full auditorium renovation.
Innovation Central offers five academy programs designed to prepare students for life post-graduation: teaching and learning; design and construction; health sciences and technology, science, technology, engineering and math; and business, leadership and entrepreneurship.
Principal Derrick Martin says the campus renovations will help district move forward with its strategic plan, which includes a planned consolidation of Innovation Central with Riverside Middle School in the next year.
Martin said the goal between the renovations and consolidations is to right-size the district and ensure resources are being used efficiently, “rather than having buildings sit half-empty or empty.”
The exterior of the building has been restored to mimic its 1911 look, and 400 new, larger windows have been installed.
Martin said the windows are more consistent with what the original structure would have had and are increasing daylight in classrooms.
Funding for the renovation came from a $175 million bond issue that voters approved in 2015.
