Beaver Area High School students returned last month to some surprising changes to the school. From new paint touch ups in the lunch room to even idolizing past students with a hall of fame, the school renovation should be exciting for students and staff alike.

One of the first things students saw when returning were the changes to the bell tower visitors’ parking lot. A new exit has improved the flow of traffic for the drop-off area.

The pool restoration last year—which fixed the ventilation and the pool itself—was only a taste of the much larger scope of what revamping the school would be.

On the smaller side of the renovation, some differences that students quickly discovered are brand new gym locker room floors and general touch ups that make the locker rooms cleaner. The locker rooms by the swimming pools also have been improved with similar changes.

Everyone who gets a school lunch can enjoy the brand new “376 Main Line” branding for the middle line of the lunchroom which adds some life to what used to be a very static wall.

JROTC members will notice that the staff room in the 300’s hall has been noticeably reduced in order for the science room next door to be enlarged. What used to be a snug but comfortable room for the JROTC program is now much more compact.

The auditorium entrance area has also been revamped with the auditorium doors themselves having a new coat of black paint and text that proudly states the auditorium is directly ahead. To the right of the auditorium doors is new wall art akin to the improvements made for the auditorium doors; the wall is painted black and displays our school motto that states Beaver Area is the school where we have “Tradition,” “Innovation,” and “Success.”

Also in the auditorium lobby is a new storage room for the janitorial staff that replaced previous empty space in the corner.

Of course these differences are certainly improvements but I haven’t mentioned the biggest improvement of them all: the back athletic field.

Just a year ago behind the school building was the old track and infield that was showing its age. Now after nearly a year of construction work, the athletic field has been converted into something much more modern for all of our athletic teams to use.

The infield acts as a secondary soccer and football field that teams will be able to utilize with new goal posts at each end of the field. A full scoreboard also has been added at the end of field so families, coaches, and teammates alike can catch up on stats.

Following along the right side of the field is a brand new paved walkway that goes by new bleachers and for teams that need to store equipment, plus a storage building was erected at the end of the path.

“The most significant part of the renovation probably has to be the athletic field because more teams and gym classes will have access to it in the future,” said Principal Sean Snowden.

Principal Snowden also said, “We’re always looking for ways to renovate and promote student achievement. In fact, we’re planning on establishing a student hall of fame in order to promote current and past alumni achievements.”

The only “controversial” aspect of the renovations has been with the unfinished science rooms which Principal Snowden explained: “There was a delay in the delivery of the cabinets; it’s very unfortunate but it happened. The teachers have been diligent in using the rooms even though no cabinets is definitely a hindrance.”

If anyone has classes in these rooms, it’s easy to spot the missing cabinets, exposed pipes, and teachers who just want to get their rooms in order.

Additionally, the 300’s and 400’s rooms received new lighting systems have been installed to give teachers a more customizable experience.

Not only is the HVAC system not finished in the science rooms, but other rooms in the 300’s hall have their ventilation on the verge of completion.

New ceiling tiles in the 300’s and 400’s halls also have been installed with the building’s roof also being replaced.

During the Spring of 2023, the renovations truly entered the construction phase with the athletic field and now we are approaching the completion point. Beaver Area High School students should have a better time with athletics and academics with these practical, functional, and aesthetic improvements!