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Apr 9, 2021 8:22 AM
BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) Students who once shopped at a downtown mall in Burlington, Vermont, are now attending high school in the former Macy’s department store, with gleaming white tile floors and escalators whisking them to and from classes.
The Downtown Burlington High School opened March 4, about six months after school administrators closed the existing school, just under 2 miles away, because toxic industrial chemicals known as PCBs were found in the building and soil during renovations. That left students stuck at home learning remotely for much of the school year during the coronavirus pandemic.
As school officials looked for space where students could attend school in-person, they eventually eyed the empty department store, which closed in 2018. They talked with architects and learned it was a possibility, said Superintendent Tom Flanagan.
Students enter Downtown Burlington High School through a giant storefront arch. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Students who once shopped at a downtown mall in Burlington, Vermont, are now attending high school in the former Macy’s department store.
Think gleaming white tile floors and escalators whisking them to and from classes.
The Downtown Burlington High School opened about six months after school administrators closed the existing school, just under two miles away.
Toxic industrial chemicals known as PCBs were found in the building and soil during renovations.
That left students stuck at home learning remotely for much of the school year during the coronavirus pandemic.
Cool but weird Macy s store transformed into school timesunion.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from timesunion.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
updated on March 31, 2021
BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) Students who once shopped at a downtown mall in Burlington, Vermont, are now attending high school in the former Macy’s department store, with gleaming white tile floors and escalators whisking them to and from classes.
The Downtown Burlington High School opened March 4, about six months after school administrators closed the existing school, just under 2 miles away, because toxic industrial chemicals known as PCBs were found in the building and soil during renovations. That left students stuck at home learning remotely for much of the school year during the coronavirus pandemic.
As school officials looked for space where students could attend school in-person, they eventually eyed the empty department store, which closed in 2018. They talked with architects and learned it was a possibility, said Superintendent Tom Flanagan.
‘Cool but weird.’ Macy’s store transformed into schoolBURLINGTON Students who once shopped at a downtown mall in Burlington are now attending high school in the former Macy’s department store, with gleaming white tile floors and escalators whisking.