After many months of intensive renovations, the new and improved Konnoak Middle School celebrated its grand opening on Friday morning.
The school originally opened in 1960 as Konnoak Junior High School. It was renamed in honor of former principal Leonard Philo as Philo Middle School, then again as Philo-Hill Magnet Academy in 2012 when it merged with Hill Middle School. The Board of Education approved the latest name change last year during the renovations, and members of the Konnoak community are inspired to be going back to their roots.
Konnoak students have been sharing the school building at Main Street Academy for over a year during the renovation process, and they’re thrilled to be returning to a school that’s been built back bigger and better than ever. The ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday was an electric event, featuring a joint performance by the school’s band and the Parkland High School band.
Superintendent Tricia McManus, members of the Board of Education, Forsyth County commissioners, and members of the media all turned out to celebrate the big day with Konnoak students and staff. Student ambassadors even crafted commemorative wooden tokens to give to the guests to mark the occasion.
The entire renovation project cost Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools $41 million, and now that they’ve seen the finished product, educators are confident that the investment will be worth every penny. McManus thanked the supporters of the project, including the Board of Education and the 178 crew members who lent their talents to the construction, for helping to instill a new sense of pride in the Konnoak Middle School community.
“They wanted you to attend school in this incredible environment, because you are incredible and you deserve to learn in a space that you can be proud of,” McManus told the students.
Welcome to your new school, Konnoak Owls, and thank you to everyone who made this great day possible!