Greenwich Celebrates Completion Of New High School Vestibule

GREENWICH, CT — Town and school officials this week celebrated the completion of the Greenwich High School vestibule project, which aimed to create a more accessible, secure and aesthetically pleasing entryway into the school building.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Tuesday to commemorate the new $3.25 million vestibule.

The new main entry lobby is a one story, ADA accessible, 1,100 square foot secure addition, and the renovated main office provides direct and secure visitor access from the new front vestibule with visibility into the vestibule, according to the school district.

A new security workstation, located within the vestibule, has visibility to all doors, the outdoor courtyard, and contains new, state-of-the-art video surveillance and security systems.

Additionally, the renovated front courtyard includes new tables and benches, plantings to improve the landscape in the front circle, improved outdoor lighting, and newly donated inscribed bricks.

"I have been a student, teacher and administrator in this building since the fall of 1970. At that time, the entire student body gathered in the student center to commemorate the opening of the new high school. Over the years we have added a science wing, a performing arts center, team rooms, a fitness center and dance studio. The school district rehabilitated the entire building in the 1990’s," said GHS Principal Ralph Mayo at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. \

"As we completed all of this construction and created a new house, we never built an entryway worthy of one of the best high schools in our country – until now. I must commend the building committee for all of their hard work and the collaborative spirit that they brought to this project – their persistence and thinking out of the box mentality made this entryway a reality," Mayo added.

Improving security at GHS was identified as a priority in the 2017 Master Facility Plan.

In 2019, a feasibility committee was formed to work with an architect to develop and deliver educational specifications to the Board of Education for consideration and approval.

Funding for the project was first approved in 2022, with additional appropriations added in 2023. In April of that year, the project received state approval.

As part of a fundraiser to purchase the outdoor tables and chairs, more than 500 inscribed bricks were purchased by donors throughout the community.