At Carteret High School, plans for addressing needed upgrades to the school began when a portion of the existing high school was selected as the site for the construction of the new Carteret Junior High School, also designed by DMR.
In order to make the new Junior High School and its required programming fit, DMR proposed shared services between the two schools, including the auditorium. By connecting the two facilities by pedestrian bridge, students in grades 7-12 are able to utilize the same auditorium.
As part of the referendum that would fund the new school and other district-wide improvements, DMR proposed renovations to the auditorium, including new stage lighting and rigging, new seating, new acoustical panels and the addition of assisted listening devices. Today, in addition to accommodating large school functions, the space provides advanced theatre and technical production programming.
Constructing the new junior high school on site was also the impetus for a new entrance and security vestibule at the high school. When the new school opened, the three-story entrance, located on a busy corner, provided a grand identity, while the existing high school entrance down the road lacked the same visual impact.
In response, DMR designed a similarly grand entrance to the high school, that still complemented the surrounding residential neighborhood. Complete with a portico, signage and planter seating, the new entrance built not only esteem, but also offers enhanced security measures such as bollards, and a new secured vestibule, security desk and metal detectors.
Also at the high school, DMR repurposed an underutilized, paved area into a covered outdoor classroom with flexible furniture and technology.