Three Oaks school renos creating new opportunities for students

The first phase of a massive $22.6-million redesign of Three Oaks High School in Summerside, P.E.I., is completeand students and staff are moving into their new spaces.

The work completed so far includes classrooms,study spaces and a theatre.

Feedback from students has been "wonderful," said Three Oaks principal JeffClow.

"They like the new lighting, they like the new flooring," he said.

The creation of new work spaces will be of particular benefit,Clow explained, because in the past, the school never had enough space for group work, so students would spill out into the hallways.

The renovation includes the addition of new breakout study rooms where students can go to work on project-based activities. The workspaces are also equipped with Wi-Fi.

'Set up for the 21stcentury'

The initial phase of therenovation began in March and was completed this month. So far, 24,000 square feet of the 160,000-square-footbuilding have been renovated.

The work completed so far includes nine classrooms with new windows, flooring and lighting. Students will also have access to a new100-seat black box theatre as well as aculinary arts food lab. The renovation also includes new interactive projectors, wireless technologyand reinforced sound systems in all classrooms.

"It's just amazing the way the school's being set up for the21stcentury,"said Jordan Brown, minister of education, early learning and culture.

"The big thing is engagement and student interest, that's the key to education. It's really capturing the students' interest and their imagination and enabling them to see what opportunities can be created by their schooling."

More work to be done

Theprojectalso includesan upgradedboiler room and heating system as well as upgraded student washrooms.

Construction underway includes renovations to the library and lecture theatre, physics lab, independent study areas as well as an expanded band and practice room.

The school is also constructing a new outdoor track-and-field facility, and has yet to begin renovations on the final 18 classrooms, the cafeteria, science labs, gym spaces and administrative areas.

The renovations are scheduled to be completed by the end of2019.

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