This page is part of the Abington Middle School Project Archive (January 2024-May 2025).

Our Middle School Challenges

Built in 1964, Abington Middle School has served our community well. However, as the building has aged, maintaining it and enhancing student learning experiences have become more challenging. Over the years, the District has invested in expanding the building to meet enrollment and learning needs, but these challenges are growing. 

Our community recognizes the facility challenges at Abington Middle School. Residents who engaged with the District during the facilities planning process said addressing the Middle School’s facility challenges should be the District’s top priority. 

The current building was not designed for middle school students. It has been retrofitted numerous times to keep pace with growing enrollment, modern teaching methods, and students' evolving needs. 

Challenges include:

  • Accessibility issues that do not provide an equitable experience for all students 

  • Classrooms that lack flexibility and have outdated furnishings 

  • Lack of natural light in classrooms

  • Undersized and outdated gyms and performing arts spaces 

  • Lack of outdoor space for lunch periods and other activities

  • Insufficient common areas and collaboration spaces

  • Opportunities to strengthen safety and security

  • Aging heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems 

  • Outdated plumbing and electrical systems

  • Deteriorating roofs, windows, walls, and flooring 

  • Damaged ceiling tiles

  • Crowded hallways and common areas

  • Blind spots in hallways and stairwells

  • Fire systems that could be enhanced through updates 

  • Traffic congestion during student drop-off and pick-up

A poster with the title 'Our Challenges' at the top, showing six icons inside yellow circles: a spray bottle, a sprinkler, lockers, a wheelchair symbol, a house, and an exhaust fan. The logo of Abington Schools is in the center.

Why address these challenges now? 

A classroom scene where a teacher is speaking to students seated at desks. The teacher is wearing glasses and a yellow dress, standing near a chalkboard with writing, and engaging with the students. The background includes educational posters and a colorful display on the wall. The word "ACCESSIBILITY" is prominently overlaid on the image.

Accessible schools provide an equitable experience for all students. 

Group of people seated around a table in a library, engaged in a discussion, with bookshelves in the background, and the text "Safety and Health" overlayed.

Schools that provide a safe, secure and healthy environment support the well-being of staff and students.

A teacher is showing a group of children some documents or papers in a classroom setting, with the words "Educational Impact" overlaid on the image.
A group of students sitting at tables in a library, attending a class or meeting, with shelves of books in the background, overlayed with the words 'Student Experience'.

Modern schools with purposeful design support personalized learning in grade-specific communities, enhanced collaboration, stronger relationships, and the flexibility to adapt to teaching and learning needs. 

Creating a “small school” community provides an environment that fosters belonging, relationships, and a positive school culture.

An aerial view of a commercial building complex with the text 'Long-Term Cost Savings' overlaid in bold white letters.

New buildings and infrastructure help prevent costly repairs and make maintenance more cost-efficient.

Learn how we're planning for the future