In 2015 I was given a quick tour of some spaces within the Hope High School building on Hope Street in Providence. Hope High was built during the Great Depression, opening in 1936. As built it had 60 classrooms for 2200 students. It also featured gymnasiums, shops and performing arts facilities.
Today it serves 1450 students and has had to adapt to changes in class size and to the educational priorities of the 21st century. Classrooms have been renovated, the large cupola has had restoration work and the athletic fields have been updated.
Of particular interest to me were the areas of the school that have not undergone renovation and are not currently in use. These spaces, largely in the performing arts wing are off limits to students, at least in theory.
The building once offered several entrances, focused on different activities (a Theatre door, a sports door) in addition to the large main entrance. Today the building is far less welcoming, with the only entrance being the main entrance with a single entry point and a security station.
