When described publicly five years ago, the new Upper School Academic Center was the focal point of Newark Academy’s master plan and was promised to feature new classrooms, teacher offices, lockers, a commons area, and an auditorium. The center, commonly referred to as the New Wing, was intended to make the lives of students and teachers easier. An entire morning meeting presentation was dedicated to describing its layout, and every community member highly anticipated its arrival.

Now that the new wing has finally arrived, two questions will be asked. First, does it live up to its lofty expectations? And second, was it worth the time and resources spent by the school? The student body provided their answers.

Overall, the feedback has been very positive. Jack Fox’14 said, “It is well-designed, spacious, and has good natural lighting.”  Stutti Tilwa’14 agreed, dubbing the new wing “awesome” and saying she likes “the way it’s planned out.” The new wing has met many people’s expectations and when asked whether they enjoy taking classes there, most students responded with an enthusiastic “yes!”

Despite some more basic architectural and stylistic similarities, the wing is very distinct from the rest of the school. Each classroom has a projector, comfortable chairs, and clean tables while being spacious and well-lit. Additionally, high schoolers, mainly sophomores embracing their first true commons area, can now be seen sitting on the comfortable couches, doing homework, or having lively discussions. The English and Language teachers also enjoy having larger offices. Mrs. Acquardo loves the new English office, and believes that the entire new wing is “gorgeous.” She also likes the fact that the wing seems more spacious, and that the “hallways are wider”.

On the other hand, the new wing could use some improvements. Remenna Xu’14 commented that “it could use a water fountain and the classrooms need better temperature control.” The addition of two new water fountains has remedied Xu’s first concern, but temperature control remains a problem. Speaking on the topic, Tilwa mused that “it’s really cold in the classrooms,” summing up a sentiment that has been expressed by many a sweater-wearing student. A more serious problem with the new wing is its somewhat removed position from the rest of the school. “The new wing is really far away from the junior lockers,” said Fox, echoing the complaints of many with lockers in the arts wing or behind the auditorium. The distance makes it virtually impossible to visit lockers between classes without being late.  Now that students are acquainted with the new layout, lockers in the new wing are sure to be a hot commodity come next school year.

Despite a couple minor problems, the new wing is viewed positively in students’ and teachers’ minds. In its first month, the Upper School Academic Center has definitely lived up to its high expectations and become a monumental addition to the school environment.