According to the Current Publishing, Carmel Clay School has allocated $63 million for upgrades across four campuses in the next year. However, new facilities do not guarantee smooth transitions and oftentimes long term renovations disrupt students’ experiences. 

Shivani Wadawadigi, TechHOUNDS competitor and junior in the engineering pathway, has experienced the differences with the newly renovated polytechnic wing firsthand.

“It was really fun (in the old spaces) but it was kind of sad because the facilities were really run down,” Wadawadigi said. “It was really dirty everywhere and kind of gross.”

Wadawadigi’s experience with the new environment is the same for students across schools and departments. According to a study conducted by the National Center of Education, major repair, renovation and modernization construction are being performed in 21% of all public schools. 

External changes  

For the engineering department, the changes are immediately visible. Wadawadigi said the renovated polytechnic wing drastically changed the environment. 

“Before these renovations, I thought it was cool that we had access to all this technology and equipment, but I thought it was just kind of gross, (since) there’s weird stains on the floors. After the renovations, the facilities are just so nice, and clean and we have such a big space. We feel really valued because we have all this nice equipment,” she said.  

The polytechnic department had undergone major changes as part of a $39 million renovation. This included professional facilities that mirror workplace environments. 

Larry Griggs, TechHOUNDS lead advisor and engineering teacher, described the changes to the department. 

“It’s definitely brighter. I think that helps students feel more. The lab setting that allows them to be creative, whereas going into a dark classroom, I feel like sometimes gets depressing, but it’s definitely brighter,” Griggs said. “(We have) new equipment, (a) new setup—so everything flows a lot easier—a lot more space to do projects, a lot more storage to store things, new cabinets and it’s just a more elegant place.”

Wadawadigi said the TechHOUNDS team is excited to start using the new equipment, and have been preparing to learn how to use it. 

“Recently, I think two weeks ago, we got access to that manufacturing shop. And after that, I think it feels almost the same. It’s just getting used to a new space,” she said. 

Wadawadigi’s experience is the same for many students across departments. Throughout the past year, renovations and new construction have been prominent in areas outside the polytechnic department too. The Greyhound Activity Center which finished construction in 2024, serves as a practice space for this school’s marching band. 

Jacye Davis, drum player and senior, said, “Things are a lot closer now. We have a whole storage area and usually things used to be spread out throughout the whole campus over there, (but) now everything’s just close together, so setting up things is infinitely easier.”

Davis said the space has improved the band’s ability to practice in an environment similar to competition sites.

“I feel like it better (reflects) being in a stadium, (because) when we’re outside, you know, it’s not the same environment as we would if we are down in Lucas Oil. It’s two totally different things, so it helps us get more of a feel for that.” 

Transition into new spaces 

While physical upgrades provide foundation, students continuously shape the culture within them. For TechHOUNDS and the engineering department, the renovations are opportunities to implement a culture of collaboration and inclusivity into the areas.  

Wadawadigi said despite a sterile feel, the TechHOUNDS team’s long hours during competition season foster close bonds, which extend to the space itself. 

“I definitely would say the space feels kind of corporate,” she said. “We’ll build new memories in this space though. I think it’s just because it’s a new area.”

The new environments bring opportunities where the students intentionally rebuild traditions left in their old spaces. Wadawadigi said they brought over TechHOUNDS traditions as a way of getting back into a routine.  

“It’s a bond (formed) because we’re all working through a collective goal,” she said. “If metal falls on the ground it makes a really loud sound and the entire team just goes in sync and you all go ‘drop something’

in sync. It’s honestly embarrassing but it’s fun.” Wadawadigi said.

“I felt (the older spaces) gave a more of a community feeling but after school this entire wing becomes TechHOUNDS and as of right now,” Griggs said. “They have a lot of growing to do in the new space, and you know they’ll figure it out. They’ll figure out which space they like and don’t like and how to manage themselves.”

On the other hand, the performing arts department, which underwent renovations in 2020, has spent the past years reshaping the facilities into their own, transforming it into a true reflection of student culture.  

Bethany “Bea” Maurer, choir member and junior, said show choir culture has become integrated into the area. Maurer said, for example, they have a calendar to specific show choirs that brings the community together. 

“It’s a really great community builder for all of our choirs to kind of keep everyone in the loop and make everyone feel appreciated and seen,” Maurer said.  

Maurer said the choir department utilizes the space to celebrate their students and accomplishments. 

“We have a costume room that is kind of a back area, and then it has all of our headshots on it from the whole choir, and it’s kind of a good place to go look at. It definitely symbolizes you—you’ve made it, you have your own headshot in a spot with a bunch of other people. I mean your headshots are surrounded by a bunch of other amazing and talented (performers) who are also on that wall,” she said. 

Future directions

As CHS students continue adapting to the new facilities, they find it is already shaping how new students are able to connect with these established programs. 

Wadawadigi said the addition of the new Computer Integrated Manufacturing being added next year will give more opportunities and expand interest to new students. 

“Last year students weren’t allowed to use any of the metal equipment—not through TechHOUNDS—so now they’ll be able to take a class where they’re gonna learn all of the machines that we exclusively got to learn before,” she said. 

Griggs said, “I think they would be successful in a different environment as well, but this is the first year that we’ve had this new space, so I’m very anxious to find out how our team does with the new machinery and new space.” 

Together, their hopes reflect the expectation that as CHS continues to grow, new facilities will not only support how programs are operated, but also shape the culture students build within them.