Skyline High School interior decorating leaves much to be desired
My daughter is a first-year student at Skyline. I was looking forward to seeing the inside of the building. I had high hopes of finding an atmosphere that was cheerful & pleasant, an atmosphere that promoted creativity and interest, something that would truly inspire. I set myself up for a major disappointment. Perhaps I should have never watched the High School Musical trilogy.
It appears that the Ann Arbor School district did not feel it needed to consult an interior design team. Or, if they did, they solicited the team that works the Federal Penal System. If mind control was their objective, the district came close to succeeding.
The common areas and hallways are drab, poorly lit and downright depressing. The walls are mostly bare. The paint must have been on sale at an Army/Navy surplus store. If I didn’t know the school colors were powder blue and white, I would have left the building thinking they were black and gray. They actually have a floor with black lockers. The hand and guard rails look like they came out of Jackson Prison - painted black or course.
The school is just plain disturbing. The School district could make some extra money leasing it out during off hours as a mausoleum. So sad. It’s what you can expect from a city that attached the “Tinfoil Tower” to City Hall.
Maybe 25 years as a graphic artist is getting in my way.
I have fault with the building but not with Skylines academic programs and organization. I’m still learning about this. Can’t say much yet, but I like what I see.
Larry Kotz
Ann Arbor
Comments
Brian
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 : 12:34 p.m.
#firstworldproblems
What?
Thu, Nov 22, 2012 : 3:04 p.m.
As someone who has been going to Skyline for almost four years (much longer than your first year daughter), I know about Skyline. The halls ARE bright and well light, the only time one could say otherwise is long after school has ended, when most students are gone. The school does NOT look like a prison. Those are much less clean, and there is a fair bit of color in the halls, to distinguish the floor and wing. And I find you mausoleum and "so disturbing" comments offensive. Just because you do not like modern architecture does not mean you can say such things, on a public forum no less. I also find your comment on the city hall offensive, but that is for another time. If you don't like Skyline, just put your daughter in another highschool. And maybe you should have done some research before you picked Skyline.
George Gray
Tue, Nov 20, 2012 : 6:51 p.m.
You forgot to mention the murals along the hallway of the first floor.. Also, they decorate each of the classroom doors as a homecoming competition. If you're the father of just a freshman, then you have yet to see a lot on interior design. Even though Skyline finally has a graduating class under their belt you have to realize that they're still a relatively new school. It's really brightened up over my four years of being an Eagle.
nural
Tue, Nov 20, 2012 : 5:15 p.m.
Calling a school "just plain disturbing" because the lighting and wall color doesn't please you aesthetically is a little extreme, don't you think?
Swimmer
Mon, Nov 5, 2012 : 12:19 a.m.
How bizarre. I found it very bright and clean compared to the other high schools when we were choosing the best place for our current sophomore (as it should be, being reasonably new). I wonder what you were expecting? There is a hole in one of the pillars near the main doors that has been there for way to long, though, but other than that it's a very pleasant place to be. I'm kind of surprised that you didn't go take a look-see before you sent your child there given how important this issue is to you now..... But as others have said, maybe this is your volunteer opportunity.
Unusual Suspect
Sun, Nov 4, 2012 : 11:26 p.m.
Two things: First, I'm sure there are plenty of volunteer opportunity to solve the "problem" you describe. See you bright and early Monday morning. Second, how is it you know what the inside of Jackson Prison looks like?
John Seychel
Sun, Nov 4, 2012 : 11:10 p.m.
Ha Ha, maybe you all should go and visit the Detroit High Schools. You might feel differently. A2 and artsy-farts, bologna. I mean look at the City Hall, and that million dollar tin foil looking thing they somehow mislabeled as art. The building leaves much to be desired also. But Detroit schools are designed by prison officials. They have the glamor of a wort toad. Look if you want something better then work for it and make it happen. Don't just sit there and complain.
aaparent
Sun, Nov 4, 2012 : 11:47 a.m.
Is it a decor problem or does the building staff and leaders lack enthusiasm for creating a warm, welcoming, exciting environment for students? The Ann Arbor chronicle has reported some Skyline parents' public commentary complaints about other aspects of the Skyline program. It seems like there might be a problem there.
aaparent
Sun, Nov 4, 2012 : 11:55 a.m.
This article has more comments about schedule problems from a Skyline parent who spoke to the board: http://annarborchronicle.com/2012/10/19/aaps-focus-achievement-labor-contracts/
DonBee
Sun, Nov 4, 2012 : 12:26 a.m.
The money you are looking for is in the overhead budget, and the Varsity only athletic facilities.
CPS
Sat, Nov 3, 2012 : 8:27 p.m.
I'm sure that once there is a surplus in the AAPS budget, then aesthetics will be addressed. Until then, function takes precedence.
nickcarraweigh
Sat, Nov 3, 2012 : 7:40 p.m.
If you give those impressionable youngsters reason to believe beauty ever trumps function, you're setting them up for a hard fall later in life.
sweetdaddy1963
Sat, Nov 3, 2012 : 6:34 p.m.
So now what are you going to do to change that?