HottyToddy.com Offers Sneak Peak at New Oxford High School

This central stairway is accessible from the new High School entrance.

HottyToddy.com got the first look at the new Oxford High School off Highway 7 in the Oxford Commons area today.

When students return to class on Jan. 7, they will leave their old classrooms on Bramlett Road for a state-of-the-art facility featuring modern technology and a green environment.

Take a look at the new Gym, Library, Weight Room, Band Room, Cafeteria and lighted outside walkways in the photos below. The following interview with OSD Superintendent Brian Harvey and High School Principal Mike Martin was conducted by the Oxford Charger High School Newspaper staff.

The new High School is an impressive facility.

Q. What will the first day at the new High School be like for students and teachers?

A. Harvey: “The first day will be an exciting day for students and teachers. It will be a day of firsts for every period. Seeing the library, walking through the halls to classrooms and going to the cafeteria will be memorable experiences for all involved.”

Martin: “Excitement, intrigue, wonder. There is no way to describe what it is like until you experience it yourself.

Workers complete the new Library.

 Q. Will there be any difference in the learning or teaching at the new high school?

A. Harvey: “Not immediately, however, as we begin to leverage the technology that has been engineered into the building, I believe that teachers will begin to expand their lessons and assignments to fully engage students and further impact their learning.”

Martin: “Going to a different geography creates the opportunity for different teaching styles. For instance, teachers will be able to take students outside in the outdoor amphitheater.”

The Cafeteria awaits diners.

Q. What makes the new high school different than other schools in Mississippi?

A. Harvey: “There is an outside chance that our high school will be the first LEED school in Mississippi. Energy efficient and technologically advanced, our new high school will be something that we can all be proud

Martin: “It is green which makes it different. The only thing that all the teachers asked for in their room was a window, so there is more sunlight.”

 Q. Do you view the development in the area as a positive or negative thing? Did you anticipate it?

A. Harvey: “It is definitely a positive. The area surrounding the new high school will be developed and will enhance the community as a whole. We certainly anticipated the growth.”

Martin: “Absolutely. This usually happens when a new school is built. It is a great thing. There are still boundaries and borders to keep the beauty of the landscape and school separate.”

Q. What is going to happen once we move in? What is the next step?

A. Harvey: “The gymnasium will not be complete at the time we move in. Once it is finished and turned over to the district, we will schedule an open house for the community.”

Martin: “We are going to have tours built in the first day to take students around the school. The first step will be to get students and teachers comfortable with the building.”

The Weight Room will feature rubber mats.

Q. What would you change during the process of building the school?

A. Harvey: “Each one of us learns from every new experience. Building a high school has been no different for anyone who has been involved. Certainly there are things we would have changed.”

Martin: “I would have called more administrators which was hard at times because the design was constantly changing. I did some of that but wish I had been able to do more.”

Plenty of work is left to be done if the facility is to be ready for students on Jan. 7.

The kitchen is taking shape.

Outside lights provide a safe, illuminated walkway.

A beautiful new Band Room means the arts won’t be ignored.

The Gym is going to be state-of-the-art.