SHADY SPRING, W.Va. — Major renovations continue at Shady Spring High School, but they won’t delay the start of the school year.
Shady Spring Principal Deanna Massey spoke on WJLS: The Voice of Beckley’s Radio Roundtable Tuesday about the changes students can expect to see at the Raleigh County school.
“State-of-the-art STEM lab, a media center, several new classrooms,” Massey explained. “Our kitchen is getting an upgrade that they desperately needed, and of course our new gym.”
The school was originally built in 1962 and has only seen a few wing additions. Other upgrades include a new front office with enhanced security features. The location of the existing office required visitors to walk through the school, passing many classrooms. New furniture, floor tiles and paint add to the cosmetic improvements at the school.
Massey says she is very excited for the new STEM lab, which is one of the few features that will not be ready in time for the fall semester. The lab, along with the new gymnasium, will open at the start of the following semester.
“We want our students that leave Shady (Spring) High to be ready to compete anywhere in the nation, or internationally,” she said. “Based on what I’m hearing, kids aren’t ready in those areas. We want to work towards that.”
The school has been awarded for its achievement in test scores and student performance. Massey attributes the school’s success to the local community’s values. She believes the campus upgrades will help take their success to the next level.
“We’re just really proud of the fact that our students and our community value education and they work hard. My teachers do as well.”
Renovations on the gym, STEM lab and new front office will continue through the fall semester. The project is expected to be completed by the start of the spring semester. Massey said crews have been working overtime to make sure the school is able to function despite the construction. Once completed she believes it will have an impact on the overall community.
“This has been a school that’s been used hard, and it is used hard. Our community is always welcome here, and it was just time.”
Shady Spring is one of four Raleigh County high schools.