Berea-Midpark students reflect on high school’s new campus
“It feels like it’s this big, expansive, far away thing that is so out of place relative to the road it’s on. The new building feels extremely soulless, in addition to it being an uninspired brick box,” said Tenzin Lucas, a Berea-Midpark graduate.
Austin Patterson, The Exponent
Berea-Midpark High School
In August of 2020, Berea-Midpark High School was demolished after standing for over 60 years to make way for its brand-new complex. However, the new building has left some underwhelmed.
Tenzin Lucas, a 2019 Berea-Midpark graduate, was part of one of the last classes of students to experience the former building. When Lucas attended high school, the building had gothic-inspired architecture, including gargoyles and stained glass.
Lucas said that in comparison, the new school feels “soulless.”
“It feels like it’s this big, expansive, far away thing that is so out of place relative to the road it’s on,” Lucas said. “The new building feels extremely soulless, in addition to it being an uninspired brick box.”
However, Lucas could only give impressions on the exterior of the building.
“I can’t speak for the actual experience of the students that attend the new school though, and I have yet to enter the interior,” Lucas said.
Sam Carlson, a current Berea-Midpark senior, shared similar opinions to Lucas and gave insight into the interior.
“The new school looks really boring on the outside but it’s alright on the inside,” Carlson said. “The hallways are really wide, a lot wider than when I was a freshman at the old school.”
Despite possible criticisms, there was a reason the new building was constructed. There were many problems including, but not limited to, mice, overcrowding, the occasional funny smell and inconsistent heating and cooling.
“I remember this one time we were rehearsing for a play in the auditorium and a bat flew out of the rafters and was flying all around. I knew our school was old but that was just ridiculous,” Lucas said.
“The new building is pretty state-of-the-art,” Carlson said. “I remember my freshman year it was so cold in one of my classrooms every day during the winter, it was awful. That’s one of the main upsides of the new school; they don’t have technical issues. It’s just kind of ugly.”
According to Cleveland.com, the Berea City School District was allocated a budget of over $100 million to construct its new building.
“$100 million is a lot of money,” Calson said. “I’m sure they could’ve fixed the heat in the old building with $100 million.”
The Exponent is looking for financial contributions to support our staff and our newsroom in producing high-quality, well-reported and accurate journalism. Thank you for taking the time to consider supporting our student journalists.
Melissa Smitkowskij • Feb 1, 2023 at 7:25 pm
Being a brand new state or the art school I thought it would extremely friendly and adaptable to those who are disabled. However this is definitely not the case. The school is not wheelchair friendly. Not all classrooms are available without students having to go outside then back in another part of the building.
The handicapped door buttons are consistently going out/having issues. Students that do have to go outside then back in the school for another class are not given access codes to open the doors from outside. If they get stuck outside or are being independent and helping themselves around without an aid, they are stuck outside until or unless someone sees them and let’s them in. And there is only one small handicapped student/teacher restroom, which is located back under a stairwell. Many disabled students rely on assistance when going to the restroom, thus requiring and aid or teacher. Students are assured that when they need to go they just need to ask. Sure ask they can. But when they actually get to go to the restroom is another story. Students sometimes have to wait long periods of time because “there wasn’t anyone available to stop what they were doing and help them. This leads to accidents, urinary tract infections from constant have to hold it so long; and severe anxiety issues requiring counseling and therapy.
I am very disappointed in the poor effort and planning that was put into this new state-of-art school. It is actually a disgrace. The Berea School Board should be embarrassed!!
Parent of former high school student.
Melissa Smitkowskij • Feb 1, 2023 at 7:25 pm
Being a brand new state or the art school I thought it would extremely friendly and adaptable to those who are disabled. However this is definitely not the case. The school is not wheelchair friendly. Not all classrooms are available without students having to go outside then back in another part of the building.
The handicapped door buttons are consistently going out/having issues. Students that do have to go outside then back in the school for another class are not given access codes to open the doors from outside. If they get stuck outside or are being independent and helping themselves around without an aid, they are stuck outside until or unless someone sees them and let’s them in. And there is only one small handicapped student/teacher restroom, which is located back under a stairwell. Many disabled students rely on assistance when going to the restroom, thus requiring and aid or teacher. Students are assured that when they need to go they just need to ask. Sure ask they can. But when they actually get to go to the restroom is another story. Students sometimes have to wait long periods of time because “there wasn’t anyone available to stop what they were doing and help them. This leads to accidents, urinary tract infections from constant have to hold it so long; and severe anxiety issues requiring counseling and therapy.
I am very disappointed in the poor effort and planning that was put into this new state-of-art school. It is actually a disgrace. The Berea School Board should be embarrassed!!
Parent of former high school student.