The reconstruction of McNeil’s floor plan has been under advisement and will be completed in phases by 2017.

“A group of administrators, students and parents gathered together to pitch their ideas for the school’s needs,” Principal Courtney Acosta said.

Originally, the floor plan was based around Acosta’s suggestions. However, Acosta directed the lead architect to those who understand the students’ needs the most.

“They kept asking me what I wanted, and I kept saying ‘no, that’s not what my teachers want’ until they finally began to ask the teachers,” Acosta said.

The current floor plan of McNeil is not accessible. In order to fix this, each academy shared its needs to provide students with a better learning environment.

“By dividing classrooms based on their departments, instructors can easily share supplies and ideas with one another instead of having to walk across the building,” Acosta said.

The floor plan will take into consideration the necessary accommodations to benefit special needs students.  

“Students with special needs will be able to guide themselves around the school without hurting themselves,” Acosta said. “Walls will be rounded instead of cut into sharp corners in order for blind and deaf students to easily get around, and the special needs room’s kitchen will be more accessible to students in wheelchairs.”

Students can look forward to more than an aesthetically pleasing school. Students will be able to take advantage of new additions to the athletic department, fine arts and recreational areas.

“Open spaces with movable furniture will be accessible to students working on a project in order to avoid being restricted by desk space,” Acosta said. “Some of them will be visible lounge places for them to relax while still being supervised.”

Even though McNeil’s reconstruction will modernize the building, the school’s roots and integrity will be kept.

“They brought these colors that were awesome, but they did not represent McNeil,” Acosta said. “It was really important to the group to keep the feel of McNeil, so we decided we will not be taking the brick down in order to leave our brand.”