Assumption Parish School Board Invests in Improvements at High School
This architectural rendering depicts what the new exterior of Assumption High School’s main academic building will look like after renovations are complete. The two-story building will feature a brick façade and incorporate the school’s name and logo.
This is an architectural rendering of the newly updated commons area at Assumption High School that will be completed as part of a large-scale enhancement effort on the campus.
The Assumption Parish School Board has announced it is investing in an extensive revitalization initiative at Assumption High School.
The transformative endeavor began this summer and marks the culmination of several collaborative projects to enhance the district’s largest campus, which serves nearly 1,000 students in grades 9-12.
Local engineering firm C.J. Savoie Consulting Engineers, LLC (C.J. Savoie) has been entrusted with designing the school’s facelift.
Key elements of the project include a complete exterior renovation featuring a new brick facade on the main building, a new canopy, a bus drop-off area equipped with security lighting, and a single-point entry to enhance safety for all students and visitors.
The design incorporates new logos, signage, and an LED message board to proudly display the Assumption Mustang Pride.
“We are excited about the positive impact this renovation will have on our school community,” Superintendent Dr. John Barthelemy said. “This project represents our commitment to providing an inspiring and safe environment for all students, faculty, and visitors.”
The renovations extend to all campus buildings, including gyms, the industrial arts building, the ROTC building, and all classroom facilities.
Each campus building will undergo either painting or new siding to rejuvenate its appearance and a new cutting-edge HVAC system to ensure optimal comfort and efficiency across campus.
“Our board is making a significant and much-needed investment in our high school campus and other campuses, giving our students better facilities to thrive in their many pursuits,” Barthelemy said. “It is important that our students be given safe environments where they can learn and compete.”
He noted that major improvements are also being made to the school’s athletic facilities, including new lighting for the baseball and softball fields, new fencing for the softball field, a new turf football and soccer field, resurfacing of the track, and new bleachers in the boys’ gym.
Maintenance Director Dwayne Aucoin said the current softball fence has been removed, and a new fence meeting regulations is being installed. The fence will include a windscreen. The new lighting systems for both fields will include new electrical poles and lighting fixtures.
Workers have removed natural grass from the football and soccer fields to replace it with artificial turf. Turf surfacing has been installed on many high school fields across the state to improve safety for players and minimize maintenance costs associated with damage caused to natural surfaces by overuse and weather.
“The demolition component of the field project is complete, and we are currently stabilizing the site and installing proper drainage,” Aucoin said. “Once the turf is installed, the track resurfacing will begin.” He noted that the newly surfaced track will include eight lanes, as compared to the seven lanes currently available, which will allow Assumption High School to host district meets.
Aucoin said construction crews have been working nights and weekends to complete all the work before the start of the 2024 football season.
He noted that the new bleachers will be constructed of higher-grade synthetic materials and have more steps and handrails for safety.
Dr. Barthelemy said the district's future projects include upgrading HVAC systems district-wide, adding single-point safety entrances at additional school sites, and cleaning and painting the exteriors of several schools.