From history in the main building, freshman Shyanne Duckette hustles during the six minute passing period through crowds of other students in order to get out to the portables, the newest addition to the campus. Ninety minutes later, she’s out the door, rushing across campus to the softball fields for practice.

“It’s a long walk after my class in the portables to softball,” Duckette said. “It takes 10 minutes to rush to the athletics building and dress out for practice, and then even more time to run to the field.”

With the school population steadily growing each year, administration knew last spring they’d have to make some adjustments. With no additional classroom space, they began planning for portables to be added on the far side of the school. This summer, the portables were brought in and the city added the necessary electrical lines to provide lights and air conditioning.

Now, four new portables line the north side of the school, next to the automotive shop. The four buildings make up eight classrooms, with each portable holding a maximum of 49 students. They’re the new home to the Professional Communications classes and ACC classes.

“I think the portables are good just because all of the teachers are in the same area,” coach and Professional Communications teacher Luke Harrison said. “It makes it easier for the teachers to collaborate, even though it’s a bit of a hassle to walk out to the portables for some students and the teachers, especially when the weather is bad.”

And while the buildings are new, students and teachers have learned some downsides. It’s a quite a trek to arrive in the six minute passing period window, even for teachers. At times, teachers have opted to move class to the library to be closer to campus. There are also no bathrooms so students have to walk to the main building or ACT building for either, which can cut into class time.

“There’s no restroom or water nearby, so if you need either, then you have to walk to the main building,” Duckette said. “It’s really tiring, having to walk to the arts building and back to the portables, and it’s too hot right now to have to make the walk.”

While it’s a long walk, especially in the heat, the portables’ air conditioners work pretty well. And the portables are surprisingly spacious for a full class of students and a teacher.

“It isn’t too warm inside the portables, which I like,” freshman Preston Coffey said. “And it isn’t too cramped either, which I really like. The portables are bigger than I expected.”