The 8-minute animation revealed design-accurate spaces, starting with a complete fly-around of the entire exterior, including the main entrance and bus drop-off, parent drop-off, and staff parking lot, before entering the school through the main entrance secure vestibule. Once inside, the students visited the main office, media center, gymnasium, collaborative spaces, various classrooms, and student dining.

While gasping and giggling their way through the video, the students made enthusiastically positive comments. Jayla said, “It looks like something more fancy and like something you would see in a show or movie.” Kaira agreed with her, “It kind of reminds me of all the Disney Channel high schools and stuff.”

The large windows around the building and in the stairwells were a hit. All the students commented on having access to abundant natural light. While they imagined how to utilize different collaborative spaces, they also scoped out their favorite seating spots for socializing.

The biggest reactions to the animation centered around the “cozy” media center, the “huge” gymnasium, and the “fancy” student dining. The students reacted to small details like the metal mesh underneath the stairwell steps, colored bricks, chairs with wheels, and the lighting near the lockers.

A new school is not just a fun place to learn, but also an opportunity to build new friendships. Hazel offered advice to the future students of Oberlin’s new 6-8 middle school. “It’s important to find your true friends and make sure you’re open to meeting new people.”

TDA is proud to partner with Hammond Construction, operating as the Construction Manager-at-Risk. The new 6-8 middle school is scheduled to open for the 2027-2028 school year.