Alamo Heights High School has unveiled its brand new building, boasting an extra 33,000 square feet, larger classrooms, and sleek furniture. The campus also pays homage to its past, with features such as the “AH” seal of blue and gold emblazoned on the terrazzo floor near the front entrance and the old oak trees that have decorated the campus for years.

A Nod to Nostalgia

Principal Cory Smith noted that while there is nostalgia for the old building, the new facilities will better serve the needs of current students. The new building is the result of a three-year construction project, which included a year of design and two years of construction. Students and teachers had to temporarily relocate to modular buildings during this time.

The new building features larger classrooms, collaborative spaces, and a brand new library with small group rooms. The outdoor portion of the campus has also been renovated, with a redone student courtyard, a new student lawn with amphitheater seating, and balcony spaces where teachers can hold class in the open air. The school has also implemented new security measures, including a front entrance vestibule where visitors must sign in before entering the building and bulletproof sliding doors that block the view from inside classrooms in the case of an emergency.

Modern Makeover

The $116 million makeover is part of a larger $371 million bond passed by the Alamo Heights Independent School District in 2023. The new building is designed to maintain the traditional look and feel of the old building, with a sandy tan brick exterior and a subtle nod to the original facade. The school has also kept its World War II Honor Roll, now located on the second floor, which commemorates Alamo Heights High School alumni who served in the war.

Original reporting: San Antonio Report — read the source article.