Apollo High School’s entire campus has undergone major changes over the last several years, and the finish line is finally in sight as Pod C’s renovation is near completion. The final stretch of the project at AHS includes renovating Pod D; overhauling Pod B to include a new kitchen/cafeteria; repurposing the commons area; and upgrading the atrium/dome for the front of the school.
The Daviess County Board of Education toured the campus Tuesday to see the latest developments and hear what’s happening next.
“It’s a long-term plan. We knew that when we embarked on it, but it’s great to see that there’s significant completion that’s been done here,” DCPS Superintendent Matt Robbins said. “Most people don’t associate this, but the movement of the football field was all part of the long-range plan. The school expanded the parking lot. Now the addition and Pods A and C are finished, and they’re doing some of the same work now in tearing out Pod D. It’s great to see the finish phase.”
Phase 1 of the AHS renovation project involved erecting the new football stadium. Phase 2 involved turning the old football field into student parking. Phase 3 was centered around a two-story addition to the school campus — including adding entire wings dedicated to the Engineering Academy and Ag Academy.
Phase 4 got rolling in December 2021 and is expected to wrap up in Spring 2025.
Work that has already been done or is nearing completion include renovations for: Pod A, which houses art, drama, and special education classrooms as well as the auditorium and stage; Pod C, which primarily houses science and English classrooms; the main gym; the library/media center; administrative offices.
Crews have already started the renovation process for Pod D, which houses English and world languages classrooms and guidance offices. That portion of the project is supposed to be complete by the end of the school year.
Starting next summer, construction will begin for the new kitchen/cafeteria, which will measure about 8,000 square feet. The space will have tables for dining — meaning students and staff will no longer have to eat in the commons area, which itself is being upgraded to serve as an integrated learning area that includes about 4,500 square feet of open space with no tables.
Pods A, C, and D have/will maintain their circular shape, though interior walls have been moved to make the spaces more efficient for classes. Pod B will be transformed into a more rectangular shape to accommodate the new kitchen and cafeteria.
Robbins said the upgrades — whether it be bigger and better classrooms, wider hallways, nicer bathrooms, or any of the other modernizations of the building — will hopefully provide a better atmosphere to teach and learn.
“Just having modern new space to operate in can really benefit the teachers and students,” he said. “It really affords them a modern workspace that’s exciting. I think it brings a whole new level of energy to the work that they do for us each and every day.”
As they walked through the building, the board members joked about how many tours they’ve done over the course of the project and asked how many more there might be — and they were excited at the idea that number might be limited.
“We can see the finish line finally,” Robbins said. “That’s an exciting thing because when we first started it’s like ‘oh, my goodness, we’ve got years left.’ It’s a really good feeling to know that we’re able to see the end of what our sights were set upon.”
