Sunnyside students return to big school district changes
»Play Video
SUNNYSIDE, Wash. -- Sunnyside students returned to class this week and KIMA learned there are big changes in the School District.
Sunnyside High School nears the end of a $30-million renovation; the first since the mid-80's. The school is almost unrecognizable for seniors like Geordan Skyles.
"Everything is just finally up to date," said Skyles.
20 new classrooms were added to accommodate a growing student population. A first of its kind health center is also being built.
The building isn't the only thing that's getting a facelift.
Sunnyside High School has upgraded its technology; giving laptops to teachers, iMacs in the classrooms and iPads for students.
In today's digital world, students say it will prepare them for what's next.
"When you get to college, and you're required to use those things; you don't know how and you kind of have to learn while at college. Whereas now we get the chance to learn before."
District wide, Sunnyside is seeing a boom in the number of students enrolling, which jumped by 131 students this year.
This increases Sunnyside's budget by nearly $3-million.
That also comes from having to hire seven-more teachers, and 13-additional staff members.
School administrators credit the growth, in part, to the massive improvements academically.
Just five years ago, only 40% of Sunnyside students received a diploma.
Today, those numbers have doubled.
"I think other people see that and recognize that we're doing all we can to help kids succeed and they want to be a part of that," said Sunnyside Executive Services Director Curtis Campbell.
It's a path the district intends to stay on.
Administrators also anticipate enrollment to continue this upward trend; building the new high school with future expansion in mind.
Not all of the changes may be seen as positive for students.
Sunnyside administrators say new fines were introduced this year for high schoolers who drive and don't register their car with the school.
If students fail to pay fines, they may end up with a boot on their car.
Sunnyside High School nears the end of a $30-million renovation; the first since the mid-80's. The school is almost unrecognizable for seniors like Geordan Skyles.
"Everything is just finally up to date," said Skyles.
20 new classrooms were added to accommodate a growing student population. A first of its kind health center is also being built.
The building isn't the only thing that's getting a facelift.
Sunnyside High School has upgraded its technology; giving laptops to teachers, iMacs in the classrooms and iPads for students.
In today's digital world, students say it will prepare them for what's next.
"When you get to college, and you're required to use those things; you don't know how and you kind of have to learn while at college. Whereas now we get the chance to learn before."
District wide, Sunnyside is seeing a boom in the number of students enrolling, which jumped by 131 students this year.
This increases Sunnyside's budget by nearly $3-million.
That also comes from having to hire seven-more teachers, and 13-additional staff members.
School administrators credit the growth, in part, to the massive improvements academically.
Just five years ago, only 40% of Sunnyside students received a diploma.
Today, those numbers have doubled.
"I think other people see that and recognize that we're doing all we can to help kids succeed and they want to be a part of that," said Sunnyside Executive Services Director Curtis Campbell.
It's a path the district intends to stay on.
Administrators also anticipate enrollment to continue this upward trend; building the new high school with future expansion in mind.
Not all of the changes may be seen as positive for students.
Sunnyside administrators say new fines were introduced this year for high schoolers who drive and don't register their car with the school.
If students fail to pay fines, they may end up with a boot on their car.
