As every student is aware, Thomas Worthington is undergoing some changes. It’s no doubt that every student knows about what is happening to the old school, and construction posters around the halls give insight into what the future of Thomas may look like. However, while every student has a basic idea of what’s going on, very few students understand the full extent of this construction project, and how much it may impact Thomas Worthington, and Worthington City Schools as a whole.

The construction project actually began all the way back in 2021, when the board of education suggested that elementary schoolers move to the middle school buildings in grade 6, instead of the previous grade 7. They also redistricted the Elementary and Middle schools that would feed into Thomas Worthington and Kilbourne, to work on getting similar numbers of students between the two. Following this, the first step of construction truly began, when the old field house at the football field was torn down, and construction began on a brand new field house facility, along with a secondary football field behind the current one. This addition seems like more of a warmup compared to what was about to follow in the summer of 2024, when the walls of the central part of Thomas Worthington came down to the ground. This marked the beginning of “Phase 1” as it is referred to by the Worthington administration. During the long summer, the construction team worked hard to put up the new building referred to as the “Academic Area” for the students. While construction was speedy, the beginning of school was approaching as the final steps of the construction were still in progress, and the start of the 2024-2025 school year was pushed back by a few weeks. The construction did end eventually, and as students flooded the halls and their new classrooms, the “Phase 1” was officially complete.

Students now attend regular classes in the new building, and travel outside through the construction zone to reach the Old Building for certain art classes, and the cafeteria. As this is being written, the school is currently in the middle of “Phase 2.” When students pass outside to the old building, they see a large structure being built. This structure will be the grand dining hall, along with other administrative offices. This building is intended to be complete for the next school year, and will replace the final part of the old building, which will be torn down following the summer. Also a part of “Phase 2,” is the new facilities for the arts programs, which have been operating out of gymnasiums and old classrooms this school year. Beginning this summer, we will see progress on a new theater auditorium, new art classes and music rooms. The new arts wing is currently designed to look like an outdoor street with classes on either side, with an artistic feel throughout the entire wing. It is still up in the air whether these will be complete in the 2025-2026 school year, or later. One of the most interesting parts is the semi combination and partnership with the Worthington pools on the new Natatorium for the swim teams. The new large indoor pool will be open to students of Thomas Worthington and will be a new home for many of the water related sports teams.

Following this, “Stage 3” will begin. This stage includes new sports facilities for baseball and softball (Being completed in May of 2026), A complete renovation of the main gym, (Being completed in October of 2025), and lastly a full renovation of the Auxiliary Gymnasium, beginning all the way in May of 2026, and being completed in August of the same year. 

While it is no doubt difficult to go through Thomas Worthington in the midst of all of this chaos, and it is hard to forget why we are made to go through all of this (especially the ones who may never get to experience the new facilities,) it is important however to remember that the new buildings and facilities will give a much greater experience to the next generation of TWHS students. While our school experience may be strange for a few years, it will all be worth it as the next year’s students will get an amazing high school experience in great facilities.