It is safe to say Manhattan High School has embarked on a new chapter. 

The transition of freshmen to West campus, a stunning east wing and over 2,000 students under one roof — these changes have transformed MHS. 

“I have been very happy overall and happy for our students at Manhattan High,” Principal Michael Dorst said. “You look at our classroom spaces that we are expanding into, we look at our new Sunset Commons … they are spaces that were designed very well for student use.”

In addition to new amenities, the merged campus provides students and teachers convenience on various levels. Shuttle buses connecting the two campuses are a thing of the past, allowing teachers to dedicate more time to in-class instruction. Athletics and activities can efficiently hold practices, meetings, and events. The overall rhythm of the school day is far smoother than it used to be. 

“Not having our shuttle bus has been a huge plus for our school,” Dorst said. “[In previous years] being in a class where the teacher is modifying their lesson because there’s going to be 10 students arriving late, that wasn’t fair.” 

Moreover, the subject-based classroom layout of the school has made department collaboration more efficient.

“I’m closer to my colleagues,” social studies teacher Darren McCoy said. “Especially the ninth grade teachers being in the building, it allows us to work closer together, collaborate and help each other through teaching.” 

While this new era of Manhattan High has yielded many positives, some logistics are still a work in progress — namely parking and lunch. Dorst described lunch as a “pleasant surprise,” as the three-period lunch format has gone smoothly for the most part. His primary concern is the middle lunch and ensuring that teachers are able to adjust their lesson plans to keep students engaged. Parking, on the other hand, has been troublesome. 

“The parent drop off and pickup started off difficult,” Dorst said. “I think it’s difficult for students who have to get on a bus because they have to get on so fast.”

Nonetheless, Dorst believes the positives of this “new era” will far outweigh the negatives. 

“We were able to combine two great buildings into one, and this year, because of that, has started off well,” Dorst said.