In preparation for the 2024/2025 school year Danbury High School recently received a new and unexpected update to their courtyard.
Danbury High School, the most populated high school in Connecticut with just under 4,000 students, kicked off the new school year with many new additions to the building—one of the most noticeable changes being the courtyard. The new additions to the courtyard now allow for more flexible seating options. A new pavilion with lighting, outlets, and a roof to protect from rain and snow as well as twelve tables underneath, a sparkling green turf, freshly poured concrete, and even a ramp for all to access, completely paid for by the city for the price of just under $500,000.
With DHS being the largest high school in the state and Danbury being the least funded district, the cafeteria has been struggling to meet city codes due to overpopulation. Having both the courtyard and the cafeteria allowed for the school to have more room for students to spread out and not reach room capacity. Although the students are still able to spread out, “the 10% daily absentee rate” is what’s keeping the school from reaching capacity according to the principal, Mr. Donovan.
Donovan says, “It has turned out beautifully, [he] just [wishes] it could have been a bit larger” and thinks it is a much better solution than the tents the students had in the past. When speaking with students, they at first were in shock the first time they saw it, but have grown to love the addition. DHS senior Sarah Lippman commented that no matter the weather conditions, the pavilion has consistently been “drawing more to sit outside.”
Lippman also believes that “although the old courtyard was not the most beautiful, it was still functional” leading her to wonder why the money was put towards it when other things in the building still needed to be upgraded. Donovan explained that the money was funded by the city and was intended to go directly to the courtyard; therefore, he ultimately had no control over where it went. Donovan added that he understands many things are still in need of fixes and in time, those too will be improved.
