Change. Defined as to make different in some particular way or aspect, alter, or transform. Change is common in society and in our lives. Kids experience change in their lives, their friends, and their memories. Adults experience change in their jobs and families. The world experiences change in technology, advancements, conflict, and peace. Next year, Oak Hills High School will experience change, particularly in the student body and district buildings.
The Student Body
Next year, 633 students from the senior class of 2026 will have left Oak Hills High School. These students are going out into the world to college, trade school, the military, or whatever path they choose. 645 students from the class of 2030 will fill their absence, entering the school for the first time as freshmen.
Other students are leaving Oak Hills to attend Great Oaks. 210 sophomores, out of a class size of 595, are attending Diamond Oaks, the most popular campus, with 14 others going to Scarlet Oaks for campus-specific courses, such as Fire/EMS and Heavy Equipment Operations.
With about 2,300 students and over 100 staff, Oak Hills fits its ranking with pride. While the numbers stay about the same, the population is always changing. But it’s not the only thing.
School Changes
The Oak Hills District faces a big year ahead. Oak Hills is remodeling not just the High School but also replacing Delhi Middle, Bridgetown Middle, and Springmyer Elementary with completely brand-new schools, ending their almost century-old legacies.
The project is split into two phases over several years. The first phase consists of replacing Delhi Middle School and Springmyer Elementary and air-conditioning the High School, with completion estimated by 2029. The second phase, from 2029 to 2032, is the construction of a brand-new Brigetown Middle School.
(Ohlsd.us)
The Oak Hills Website celebrates the rejuvenation that new schools will bring. Superintendent Dan Beckenhaupt explains how it will help prepare highlanders for the future. “By investing in modern facilities, we can ensure that we are providing the best learning environment for all students and staff. These upgrades will allow us to meet the changing educational and technological demands of our students,” he says.
Now, new schools are not free. In fact, the project will cost over $100 million, of which $70 million will be funded by the state. For residents in the district, it costs nothing! The project is locally and state-funded, meaning there is zero increase in property taxes.
While the students will continue to circulate and buildings continue to be renovated, Oak Hills School District continues to stay the same. West Side roots and Highlander pride still fill the district. Next year, Oak Hills will begin the process of bettering the education system for the next generations to come. On Highlanders!
