Arcadia High School - Olympian Yearbook (Phoenix, AZ)

Page 9 text:

yw § aw . . Toadied was When completed, the auditorium was used for assemblies, plays and musical productions. Music and drama classes were transferred from their temporary classrooms to this building. STUDENT SERVICE CENTER was the official title given to the administration building. This clover-shaped building on the northwest corner of campus just off the Walk of Olives housed four main centers of activity, the principal's office, guidance center, nurse's office, and bookstore. Early in 1960, the auditorium and the classrooms surround- ing it were completed. At this time fine arts classes, which had previously been meeting in the art building and the cafeteria, were moved to their permanent places. The auditorium itself, with a seating capacity of 1330, was the site of many assemblies and productions, both musical and dramatic. Three circles joined to make the administration building. All school business was transacted in this pleasantly lighted and decorated building.

Page 8 text:

H c ijuxg Yoa The main attraction on campus was the round library, which was raised several feet above the ground on stilts. It earned for Arcadia High such nicknames as Spaceland and Disneyland. WITH THE OPENING of the 1959-60 school year, students were surprised and fascinated by the many distinctive features of the new Arcadia High School, which was designed by Phoenix Architect Mel Ensign. The unique round library, main attraction for many students, was a popular place not only because of the study facilities of- fered there, but also because of the recreation area beneath it. This area was put to good use by the students during both lunch hours, before, and after school. Surrounding the library was a semi-circle of classrooms, which, when completed in I960, made an entire circle. This new addition nearly doubled the number of classrooms on campus. For a few short weeks, empty bookshelves lined the walls of the circular library. Arcadia's unique design was especially oyt anding in this building. semi-circle of classroorhs, more than f Arcadia's classes were held. On the up- floor were the departments of mathematics and English, and on the lower floor, those of science, business, and social studies.

Page 10 text:

New UW j4ttradu k . . The cafeteria and the snack bar were kept busy during lunch hours, and were frequently the site of fun during dances and other evening activities. DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM the Student Service Center was the art building. This structure, which had once served as As the picture below shows, space in the art building was very limited, but art students spent many creative hours there. a home, was converted to the art center. Until the audi- torium and the surrounding classrooms were completed, drama classes were held here. During Arcadia's first, and perhaps most challenging year, the cafeteria served varied purposes. When lunch hours were not in session, chorus and band classes were held there. It also served as a meeting place for several organizations and a site for many dances. The art building, formerly a house, became the headquarters of the art department. Other classes, includ- ing drama and languages, were held there.