A First Look Inside The New Hermantown High School

Building Is 70 Percent Complete

Hermantown’s new state-of-the-art high school is now roughly 70 percent complete, and FOX 21’s Dan Hanger is giving you an exclusive first look inside.

It’s been years in the make and a lot of convincing for some tax payers. But now, the $49 million referendum recently passed by voters is showing real signs of physical transformation.

“The kids are learning in a different way,” explained Superintendent Kerry Juntunen, who is more than anxious to show off the new learning complex that’s under construction next to the current high school.

“It’s going to be much more like a college campus than a high school. That’s the trend of the future,” Juntunen said.

And that future does not include the traditional library – or even the word.

There’s now a “digital commons” with tech support and cushy seating for collaboration between students.

“Our technology is transformative. Rather than being just a rubrics cube for kids to play with, it actually helps us to collaborate and be creative – all of those things you want in a 21st century classroom.

The hallways are more than spacious.

The ceilings are high and bright.

And the spaces for hanging out are purposely positioned.

“If you put a bunch of rats into a cage and electrify the floor, what happens to them, asked Juntunen. “They just start fighting.”

As for the arts, the investment is significant with a big state-of-the-art theatre that will seat around 700 people.

There’s also space for artists and singers to do their thing.

“This school believes in the arts. Academics, activities, arts: It’s really important to this community,” Juntunen said.

It’s a $49 million investment that’s moving middle school students into the old high school while bringing high school students into the new building under construction and set to open this fall.

“We had a lot of people who said it couldn’t be done. And that’s another thing about this community, if somebody tells them they can’t do that, well we’ll show you,” Juntunen said with a smile.

The teachers are expected to start moving in to their classrooms Aug 15.

A public open house is set for Sept. 19.