It seems like Flintridge Prep is always under construction.
When I was a freshman, they were building a soundwall on the highway, and the lower lot was closed. Sophomore year, the kitchen was updated. Junior year, the library was remodeled. For the past three years, I’ve overheard students complain about compromised parking, construction noise, and limited study space. But once all the heavy lifting is over, students forget to mention how much they enjoy these improved spaces; they forget to thank the people who made it all possible.
Over the summer, the facilities team was hard at work, looking to make improvements around campus. Although these improvements seem small, they redefine hangout spots and make Prep’s campus more adaptable to environmental change.
Nick Wright, the Director of Facilities, explained that the summer’s smaller-scale updates were very important for safety. “The primary impetus for the majority of the projects that took place over the summer was fire risk mitigation. Post Eaton Fire, it became necessary for us to assess the campus’s vulnerabilities and develop creative solutions that address those areas, while still keeping the campus feeling like the beautiful green space it is.” Whether it was the expansion of the walkway near the attendance office or the senior patio renovations, each project balanced function with aesthetics, keeping Prep’s blue, grey, and white themes central during reconstruction.
Another safety precaution installed was the Wolf Post. This check-in booth can be found in Ahmanson Plaza at the new pedestrian gate. Not only does this provide shelter to security members, but it also makes check-in a lot easier, especially when students are running late.
Additionally, the sports field was re-sodded. As Prep continues to grow its athletic success, it is vital for our teams and P.E. classes to have a great field. While Prep may not have a regulation-sized field or even a track, we work with what we have and continue to house some of the most successful high school athletic teams in the Pasadena area. In fact, our football team is undefeated, and women’s soccer is Division 1.
Prep has no intention of stopping renovations any time soon. Recently, the school purchased a neighboring house on Crown Ave. When asked about the home, Wright reveals that “there are no current plans for the newly acquired property, but we are currently engaged in a master planning process with an architectural firm that will be working with us to develop some exciting options for our future.”
While this Master Plan may seem ambitious, the facilities team has been chipping away at it for years with projects like the library and kitchen renovation. Wright adds, “anything built requires a maintenance plan, and facilities benefit from periodic renewals to keep them up to date and best supporting the programs they house.” The Master Plan opens up an entire future of possibility. The faculty, staff, and architects are looking at the campus as a whole as they try to develop a list of projects that can best support Prep’s future. Since the Master Plan is only a few months in, there aren’t many specifics, but what Wright can guarantee is that “creating a positive student experience is always a core tenet when developing any plan at Prep”.
It’s exciting to think that I might come back as an alumna ten years from now and see an entirely new campus, but one that still reflects Prep’s central values. One thing is for certain, Prep is not stagnant. As a school, we are constantly updating campus technology and spaces. Thanks to the facilities team, faculty, and parent funding, these improvements turn into creative rooms and outdoor spaces that foster bright minds, good sportsmanship, and future world leaders.
So, the next time Prep goes under construction – and given the track record, it will likely be soon – try to keep the bigger picture in mind. A little drilling noise now may mean a new parking lot, a bigger field, or even a whole new building down the line.
