On May 17 during Tiger Time, students and staff along with the Princeton Education Foundation celebrated the inauguration of the newly renovated courtyard next to the Numina Gallery, which was completed this spring after two years of construction.

The official opening of the courtyard was attended by many PHS students, staff, PPS board members, and the Mayor of Princeton, Mark Freda. During the event, attendees were able to hear individuals give speeches and stories about the renovating process and the idea’s origin.

For the past two years, the courtyard has undergone multiple stages of renovation. The first improvements were pitched in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 by Language Arts teacher Bryan Hoffman, who wanted to help the PHS community after the pandemic. By decorating the space with flowers and benches, Hoffman aimed to create a more intimate resting space for students to enjoy.

“I was looking and noticed just how upsetting the pandemic was. None of us knew what to expect with in-person or hybrid learning,” said Hoffman. “So when [we] put out [our] yearly bid for grants, I thought, well, what if we make a space for beauty? 2,000 dollars, and there’s a courtyard.”

After seeing the popularity and enthusiasm students expressed with the first courtyard decorations, Hoffman decided to collaborate with another group of teachers who were advocating for a similar, albeit more elaborate, idea. Together, they pitched the idea to the Board of Education, who approved the plan “to give students the opportunity to step away, reflect on their studies and situations, reduce their stress levels, and enhance their mind-body wellness,” according to the PEF. Supported by the PEF, the mini-grant was enlarged, allowing the team to expand its original ideas and draw up more significant modifications.

“It [was] something that we were not used to because teachers are always working on a budget, and I think it definitely opened [things] up. [It] allowed us to be more creative,” Hoffman said.

Students played a vital role in the development and execution of the courtyard. After being contacted by Hoffman, Joseph Gargione, an industrial arts teacher at PHS, invited students from his Advanced Architecture class to participate in the design process of the courtyard. Using SketchUp, a 3D modeling computer program, students who volunteered would design models of the courtyard and then provide them to landscape architect Rich Sneidiker, who had worked on similar projects at other schools.

“My only worry was how seriously they wanted to take it, because I didn’t even know how serious this was going to be,” said Gargione. “I presented my Advanced Architecture class about what was going to happen here and who was interested.”

In the end, three of Gargione’s students, Jake Richter ’23, Tom Lips ’23, and Aiden Castillo ’23, submitted designs and began meeting with the team during breaks.

“The three of us went through a multitude of different drawings that would all be given to the landscape architect, Rich Sneidiker. He worked incredibly hard to include our ideas into his plans while also pushing us to come up with more ideas,” Richter said.

In the center-left of the courtyard, the team constructed a wooden platform intended for a variety of uses. Hoffman hopes that students and staff will be willing to use it to its full effect.“So the platform is for meditation, yoga, and performance, and then there's plenty of space around [it]. … I'm hoping there'll be more public performances,” Hoffman said.

Students and teachers were amazed at how the renovations turned out when the construction of the courtyard was completed. The team stresses the importance of creating a space that focuses on the well-being of the students and continues with the original goal of the renovations.

“The main goal of this courtyard was to mesh both science and art into one central meeting space. The intent was a place of peace and meditation, which was the focal point for the focus of Mr. Hoffman,” said Richter. “My personal goals behind the project were to create a colorful space that deviated from the bland colors that flow throughout the school currently. I wanted to prioritize mental health, and I believe there is no better way to do this than create personality through color.”

Going forward, the team hopes that this project will serve as an example for similar projects at PHS in the future. Additionally, Gargione hopes that this courtyard has set a strong example as to how capable students can be to help bigger projects, as well as encouraging them.

“I think that this is now proof that these kinds of projects are possible. I think [a student] already started doing drawings for a wall. Now I’m hearing that there might be another project. I think after students see more, we'll take it more seriously,” Gargione said.

For now, though, the team hopes that the courtyard will be a place where students can escape the academic stress throughout the school day.

“I couldn't be happier. I hope that teachers don't bring their classes out to teach, because we want to have a space that's intended for student wellness and to feel like you're not in school. So far, I think teachers have done what I did, [like taking] students out to read,” Hoffman said.