McHenry High School District 156 school board members marked a pivotal moment in McHenry High School history Thursday with a small ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony for the newly built, state-of-the-art Center for Science, Technology and Industry that community leaders hope sets students on the path to innovative and exciting futures.
The official opening of the 70,000-square-foot extension to McHenry High School Upper Campus also marks the start of the 2021-22 school year as one McHenry High School with a Freshman and Upper campus. Finally, it represents the completion of a multimillion-dollar project to upgrade both Freshman and Upper campuses.
District 156 leaders said they were glad to celebrate the completion of the center along with the other projects, particularly in light of the challenges brought by a global pandemic. They also thanked students, families and community partners for the support.
“This would not have been possible without the work of our school community and invaluable input from our administrators, educators and families,” District 156 school board President Dawn Bremer said. “We are looking forward to watching students make great use of this new center and all McHenry High School has to offer.”
Thursday’s ceremony included tours of the facility, which has a new biomedical science lab, advanced engineering center, environmental science lab including a greenhouse, an advanced graphics lab, and more. In addition to the new spaces, plenty of new technology is now available. McHenry High School is now one of only a few high schools in the state to have an Anatomage table, a 3D virtual dissection system.
“We are proud that every student who attends McHenry Community High School will have access to our amazing new facilities, lab spaces, and advanced curricular pathways,” said Dr. Ryan McTague, District 156 superintendent. “We are quickly becoming one of the most competitive and comprehensive high school districts in the area and the state.”
McHenry Mayor Wayne Jett said he’s seen the need for highly skilled workers in the job force, and he’s glad to see his alma mater providing important future-ready programs to students. “Students will be far more prepared than many of their counterparts,” Jett said.
The three-story building extension also includes a robotics lab, advanced computer science center, manufacturing and construction lab, INCubatoredu classroom spaces and a broadcasting studio.
Other facility improvements in the past three years include new lighting, ceilings, flooring and lockers at the Freshman Campus, new tennis courts, a refurbished swimming pool, new parking lots, and a new college and career center at Upper Campus. Also, both buildings' HVAC systems were significantly improved, including the addition of an environment-friendly geothermal well system at the Freshman Campus.
“The future is bright for MCHS,” McTague said. “We’re thrilled to open the new center for our community.”
District 156 officials are hosting a series of community open house events to invite the community to see the new center. The next event is 1 to 3 p.m. Aug. 21 and 10 a.m. to noon on Oct. 2.