NEW ULM Flexibility, durability and efficiency these are the key words behind the design of ISD 88’s new high school.

Upon entry, after passing through the security entrance, visitors will enter the cafeteria/commons area. This is a large, open space that serves as a central hub to the high school.

“That central hub brings the school together as a community,” Principal Mark Bergmann said.

The cafeteria is not only a place for students to eat, it serves as a gathering area. The space has a projection and sound system and can be used for banquets something previously unavailable in the old building.

From the cafeteria, the building spreads out into three primary wings: fine arts, athletics and academic.

To the right lies the academic wing, with two floors of classrooms that measure at 900 square feet each, according to Superintendent Jeff Bertrang.

This wing includes flexible classrooms and collaborative spaces in the hallways. The collaborative spaces are designed to allow students to do homework or study. Bergmann explained that the school plans to install computer screens at the spaces to provide more resources to students.

The school is now trying to give students greater privileges and freedoms, as long as they are responsible about it.

“We tried to create a small college, community college-type environment with the understanding that grades nine are not quite ready for that, grade 10 will be transitioning to that and grades 11 and 12, we believe that they are at that point,” Bergmann said.

Even though it is supposed to be a college-like environment, Bergmann points out that not everyone has to go to college.

In that vein, the school has upgraded its spaces for vocational classes. It has a traditional wood shop, with power saws and drills and the like.

The larger shop contains welding stations and mechanics tools. According to Bergmann, is large enough to fit a combine in for students to work on.

Along with the workshops, the school has an expanded space for agricultural classes. A greenhouse sits outside, between the building and the sports complex.

The greenhouse is 48 feet by 30 feet. The foundation and fixtures were funded by the district while the building was funded by donations through the New Ulm Farm-City Hub Club, including $20,000 from Pete and Linda Neigebauer.

Across from the academic wing is the fine arts wing, with a band room, choir room and an auditorium.

The band and choir rooms sit across the hall from the auditorium. That allows either musical class to simply cross the hall for rehearsals and performances.

The auditorium itself contains seating and a proscenium stage one with an arch. Backstage there are rooms for set construction and costuming.

The auditorium was in part paid for by a $1 million donation from an as-of-yet anonymous donor.

If a visitor crosses the cafeteria after entering the school, they will get to the athletics wing of the building.

This wing features a three stall gym, meaning one large gym room that can be divided into three sections with drop-down walls.

Two of those stalls are traditional hardwood flooring for basketball games and the like. The third has a rubberized floor so tennis and other sports that do not play well on wood flooring have an indoor space.

There is also a weightlifting room that is attached via garage door to a large fitness room. This way, Bergmann explains, a fitness class can use both at the same time for different exercises.

The fitness room can serve as a space for clubs and organizations, such as the cheerleader squad, to practice.

Making facilities in the high school multipurpose was a constant goal in the design process. That way every team, club or organization has a space to work.

“Now they have a space, and when you have a space you feel valued,” Bergmann said.