$11 million Maplewood High renovation begins

Ground was broken Monday on an $11 million renovation at Maplewood High School. The renovation is the school’s first since the mid-1980s, and money for the project was secured in last year’s capital budget.

“It is something that I feel is overdue,” said Interim Director of Schools Chris Henson. “It’s a building that deserves a renovation.”

The renovation includes construction of a free-standing gymnasium, more classrooms, a new heating and air-conditioning system, and an updating of the entire first floor of the existing school building.

Students who gathered for the groundbreaking applauded and cheered when it was noted that the new gym would be air-conditioned.

Maplewood Principal Julie Williams said the school is in need of the work.

“We want our students to feel as good about their school as other students do,” Williams said.

Maplewood has been called a model in school turn-around by Connie Smith, accountability chief for the Tennessee Department of Education. Maplewood was previously considered in “State/LEA Reconstitution” status after missing certain state and federal benchmarks required by federal No Child Left Behind legislation for seven years in a row, leading to more state DOE involvement at Maplewood than at any other school in Nashville.

In the last school year, Maplewood met NCLB academic performance benchmarks necessary to be considered improving. The school is in East Nashville and serves a population of predominantly minority, economically disadvantaged students.

“From trial comes strength, and this school is strong,” Henson told students Monday.