Solar Panels, Laptops Among New High School Features

The new building is on schedule to open in late June or early July, according to recent information for Superintendent of Schools Peter Sanchioni. The new building will be much more advanced than the old building that was built in 1954. New features include the following:

• 20,000 gallon rainwater collection system to take water from the roof back into the school and disinfecting it for flushing toilets

• Solar roof panels to provide solar energy to the school, something that has been done in four other schools in Natick in the pas year

• New courses including new fitness programs with spin bikes and other equipment

• New robotics class

• Shop space for engineering projects

• Area for digital music and video game design

• New television studio with more advanced television, audio and lighting equipment

• New classroom technology, including short throw interactive projectors in the front of the classrooms (teachers will be able to leave their computers and use the touch screen projectors to show material)

• New preschool on site, which will allow childcare courses

• 800-seat auditorium with advanced sound system

• 'Collegiate' library with audio visual stations

• More efficient heating system for the building, with triple-pane glass windows and highly insulated walls and ceilings

• New small presentation room

• 1:1 laptop program with laptops for every student