Oak Ridge students participate in one of five Career Academies that focus on regional job opportunities. Career Acad- emies feature internships during high school and proper training required by area organizations.
In conjunction with B&W Y-12, the contractor operating the Y-12 National Security Complex, the Engineering & Manufacturing Academy trains students in advanced manufacturing techniques. Courses are designed for students who choose to go directly into a high-skill manufacturing career or who desire college credits toward an engineering degree. Students in the Health Sciences Academy collaborate with Methodist Medical Center for training in medical-care specialties.
The Early Childhood Education Academy prepares students for childcare and education careers; Arts & Communications Academy explores a variety of cultural and broadcast career opportunities; and the Business and Information Technology Academy trains students to be entrepreneurs in tomorrow’s world.
These career academies are now the central organizing structure of the high school. The programs were relocated from separate buildings on the campus into the existing 2-story classroom wing, which was renovated and reorganized to better serve the academies. Oak Ridge’s new 3-story classroom wing wraps around the academies and is organized around a state-of-the-art media center with a large clerestory.
The spatial layout supports the career academies and promotes interdisciplinary learning between math and science and English and social studies. For example, the medical technology and engineering academies are located adjacent to the science labs and math classrooms. Small group collaboration areas also are located in the learning center to enhance educational opportunities.
School Excellence
A 50-foot glass atrium and new main entrance plaza invites visitors into the facility. The school now has an identifiable front entrance that invites students, faculty and visitors to enter the school.
It also provides the school with a beautiful design feature that looks amazing at night.
Once inside, guests are attracted to the 2-story grand stair that leads to the new 185-seat amphitheater that is used as a classroom, as well as for staff meetings and community presentations. The thriving Oak Ridge community can take advantage of distance-learning opportunities because the amphitheater is equipped with a ceiling-mounted projector and screen, portable podium with controls and data connections at each student station.
To the left of the main entrance is a multi-level student dining commons that gleams with natural light. The design of the commons roof was inspired by the curved wood beams that previously supported the roofs of the A two sports-practice buildings in the existing school. The commons also doubles as a pre-function area for a new 1,500-seat performing-arts auditorium complete with an orchestra pit and state-of-the- art acoustic and lighting systems. A new light cove houses the high-tech sound system, speakers and stage spotlighting. Two spotlight rooms provide additional production lighting, and a new sound booth features a modern sound system. All finishes provide a modern acoustical environment excellent for performances.
“Performing arts programs are a vital component of the curriculum at Oak Ridge High School. We now have an auditorium we are proud of and one that we can share with the larger community,” Bailey says.
A door at the back of the auditorium leads to a new music wing, featuring three rehearsal rooms for vocal, orchestra and marching/concert band; three keyboard practice rooms; staff offices; a storage room; and locker rooms. Vocal and orchestra rehearsal rooms have 16-foot ceilings, and the band rehearsal room has a 20-foot ceiling to accommodate acoustical needs for these programs.
“When the original high school facility was built in the 1950s, Oak Ridgers concluded that providing the highest quality education for their children was the most important contribution they could make to the long-term prosperity of their community,” explains Chuck Carringer, Oak Ridge High School principal. “More than one-half century later, Oak Ridgers have renewed their commitment to education made nearly three generations ago by the men and women who founded our community.”