by Samantha Hearn, Home Page Media
Nolensville High School is in its final stages of construction, with the official ribbon cutting coming up soon and plans under way to orient new students.
The new school is being completed in conjunction with Mill Creek Elementary and Middle Schools, with a $73 million infrastructure on 100 acres of land on York Road. Nolensville High School is a 263,000 square foot facility designed by Johnson and Bailey Architects, modeled after Summit High School in Spring Hill.
For more photos of the campus, click HERE.
Bill Harlin, formerly the principal of Brentwood Middle School, was appointed principal of Nolensville High School. The new school will relieve the overcrowded Ravenwood High School in Brentwood, and is opening with just freshmen and sophomores.
The ribbon cutting on the new schools will be held July 24, and next week the community is “Painting the Town Blue” in honor of the new facilities. Dubbed the Nolensville Knights, the school will have all TSSAA sports including football.
“I think the new students will be excited to be a part of making the traditions and customs of the new school,” Harlin said. “We’re going to have an orientation for students to learn the layout of the school, get their books and lockers. Teachers will report to school on August 1, and sophomore orientation will be that day with freshmen orienting on August 2.”
Students will get to craft their new school’s traditions as well as be exposed to classes in career and technical education.
“We’re excited about developing the CTE programs,” Harlin said. “We’re going to have things like culinary arts with a full cooking and teaching kitchen, and we’re working on our unmanned aerial systems program.”
Harlin also said that the new school features a TV and broadcasting station, as well as marketing and early nursing programs.
“We want to have a broad range of studies,” Harlin said. “We’re starting with grades 9 and 10, and will grow our arts programs like band, chorus and theatre with time.”
As of now, about 450 students will enroll at Nolensville High School.
“By the end of the summer there may be more,” Harlin said. “There are a lot of people moving to the area, it’s an exciting time. Right now it’s about making sure the school operates well. We have a fabulous staff and fabulous coaches.”
Nolensville High School is starting with all TSSAA sports, and will have varsity in all except for football, which will be junior varsity the first year. Homecoming will be the Saturday after Sept. 2, the only Friday night football game of the year.
While a prom won’t happen until the incoming classes are juniors and seniors, the student council is planning a homecoming dance.
“We will work up to prom,” Harlin said. “The PTSO is making provisions for that. It’s an exciting new opportunity and will be interesting to see what that will look like.”
Harlin also said that the volunteerism and community spirit have bolstered the new schools.
“We have a tremendous parent-volunteer base with phenomenal support from the community,” Harlin said. “It’s neat to see the community working together and getting so excited. We’re all starting this new thing together at the same time, and I think that’s been very special for the community.”
The community Paint the Town Blue effort will begin on July 14, promoting the idea of school spirit through flyers, a Facebook page and email blasts. At the Nolensville Farmer’s Market, they’re going to have a table set up every third Saturday of the month to hand out ribbons and allow people to make their own.
The ribbon cuttings will take place on July 24.
