Princeton High School construction slated to conclude in March.
By: Chinenye Okparanta
Students who will be making the transition from Cranbury School to Princeton High School next year have a lot to look forward to.
At the Cranbury Board of Education meeting Tuesday, Superintendent of the Princeton Regional School District Judith Wilson updated Cranbury parents on the construction work being done at the high school.
Five of the six schools in the district that were under construction have been completed, according to Dr. Wilson.She said that $82 million has been spent on the schools.
Only the high school is yet to be finished but Dr. Wilson said the target for completion is March, several months before the start of the school year in September.
"We’ve made a lot of progress and we hope to be in some new spaces in spring," Dr. Wilson said. "When the students enter in September they will be entering a complete school."
A new pool, a renovated auditorium, science laboratories and a greenhouse on the second floor are just some of the things at the high school that students will be able to enjoy, Dr. Wilson said.
The school already has $500,000 set aside for new technology equipment for next year.
Dr. Wilson said incoming students can also look forward to special events like a formal gala in mid-October to celebrate the new space, as well as special luncheons planned especially for them.
Princeton High School Principal Gary Snyder and guidance counselor Lynne O’Grady addressed the concerns of parents whose children will be making the transition to the high school in the coming year.
The high school offers a freshman orientation program in late August, but some parents said they want an open house during the school year so high school students are in the building.
Mr. Snyder said the school has been considering implementing just such an open house to allow the incoming freshmen to become more familiar with the daily activities of Princeton High School students.
Mr. Snyder also briefly outlined the academic and extracurricular programs at Princeton High School.
The math department recently took part in the Colonial Valley Competition and the English department is forming a debate team for students, he said.
Mr. Snyder said the science department recently had guest speaker astronaut Greg Olsen, speak to the students from outer space.
He also added that the choir, part of the fine arts department, has been invited to sing at the White House this holiday season.
The high school offers the students a wealth of classes and electives, including the option of choosing from more than five foreign language classes, Mr. Snyder said.
He assured parents that class sizes were usually limited to approximately 25 students.