Facilities That Garner Success: Pairing State of the Art Resources with an Untamable Will to Exceed
Introduction:
In the realm of education, the physical spaces where learning unfolds holds profound significance. At Immaculate High School, our facilities intend to provide comfort, modernity and versatility for our student body.
While the quality of teaching and curriculum form the backbone of a student's education, updated facilities contribute to fostering holistic student growth. Our spaces are designed to promote an authentic curiosity in our students, where individuals can share the excitement to learn and continue to further develop their skills in the process.
IHS students have state-of-the-art facilities at their disposal intended to promote the development of mind, body and spirit. When these resources are used to the fullest extent by our students, extraordinary outcomes are achieved.
Campus Overview:
Immaculate High School sits on a beautiful 7-acre campus, featuring a recent $1.3 million turf and track complex. Our school is located across the street from the scenic Tarrywile Park and features parking in both the front and rear of the building.
The building itself is big enough to accommodate our student body and small enough to feel just like home. Our students are easily able to make it from class to class without the need to sprint through the halls or worry about being late.
With students hailing from 27+ unique cities and towns, it is of the utmost importance that our campus always feels welcoming. You will see our facilities covered in IHS branding, showcasing Immaculate as the home of the Mustangs!
Facilities Enhancements:
Commitment to Green Energy:
In 2017, Immaculate made a commitment to use green energy and has not looked back since. The school has been realizing a 40 percent annual reduction in operating costs as a result of this initiative and limiting unnecessary output as well.
In partnership with the C-PACE Energy Program and Eversource, the school installed a new roof with solar panels, upgraded its HVAC to energy efficient gas boilers coupled with smart thermostats, installed LED lighting in all areas throughout the building and upgraded its commercial ovens and refrigerated service areas to energy efficient appliances.
Safety First:
At Immaculate, the safety of our students is first and foremost. In order for our students to perform at their best, it is pivotal that our building is secure and protected. The school has enhanced its security systems annually through CT state grant monies and school capital budget funds.
In addition to new building entrances, the school utilizes real-time visitor tracking, campus cameras and fire and safety alarm systems, panic buttons, software for employees as well as a secure network system.
In collaboration with the school’s administrative Emergency Response Team, safety plans are reviewed annually by the Danbury Police and Fire Departments.
Specialty Program Facilities:
In addition to general classrooms and common areas, IHS features specialty labs and studios specifically designed to enrich students in areas of study that may not be offered at every high school. These innovative courses are intended to stretch the realm of possibilities for our students, while allowing them to discover their passions for themselves.
Pictured Above: Junior student utilizes the Podcast Studio during class.
Podcast Studio:
IHS recognizes that the innovative courses of the last decade are rapidly shifting to new programs that combine technology with practicality. Students can take a podcasting class, learning the ins and outs of the recording software, while serving as a host or participant on a topic of their choice.
Most recently, the Podcast Studio was used for our latest admissions podcast, going beyond the bell while exploring different clubs and extracurriculars available to students through their four years of enrollment. To listen to recordings done by our students, we invite you to follow the button below to our Admissions blog and podcast webpage HERE.
Pictured Above: Student works on his project with our Graphic Design Instructor.
Graphic Design Lab:
Our state of the art Graphic Design Lab is designed to allow our students’ creative energy run wild. This facility features a main lab and a side room fit with a plethora of different color printers. The larger main lab is air-conditioned and showcases desktop iMacs with Adobe Creative Suite pre-downloaded.
Graphic design at IHS is offered from freshman through senior year, with students each year determining that they would enjoy studying graphics in college. Students are trained on the entirety of Adobe Creative Suite, putting their knowledge directly into practice. Oftentimes, students’ projects can be seen decorating our hallways.
Engineering Lab:
Immaculate’s commitment to innovative course offerings extends well into the field of STEM. Our instructor is a certified engineer and often invites engineers in different fields to come into the classroom and speak to our students.
Engineering is offered from basics to advanced courses, with the engineering lab serving as the home of IHS Brave Engineers, a student-run club that has won the Real World Design Challenge and this year, the school’s team earned an honorable mention in the national/international competition.
Pictured Above: AP Chemistry students work on an experiment in the chemistry lab.
Science Labs:
An Immaculate education cannot exist without continuous application of knowledge to real world situations. Our science labs have been renovated to reflect that of a college level laboratory.
Our biology, chemistry and physics labs all feature large high-top tables, granting our students the space they need to complete their experiments with the ability to collaborate with their peers.
The labs feature all necessary equipment including data collecting probes and safety procedures to ensure that experiments run smoothly and allow students to put their knowledge into direct practice.
Immaculate has a dedicated certified nursing assistant room, fit with hospital beds and mannequins to allow our students to learn the skills necessary to become official CNAs.
Dining Hall:
The Dining Hall in most schools is a place for relaxation, revitalization and preparation for classes being held later in the day. Our Mustang Cafe has been tailored to feel much like that of a college level food service.
At Immaculate, we have redesigned our Dining Hall to offer a plethora of different seating options and a ton of natural light which flows in from the large, high security windows that lead to our new outdoor patio.
The Dining Hall is fit for both small and large groups, allowing plenty of space for seating during the busy lunch periods. High-top tables allow room for students who wish to continue working on their studies and typical cafeteria style tables for groups of students looking to unwind and socialize.
The Mustang Cafe is fit with updated flooring, ceiling, lighting and furniture, all to create a warm, comfortable, inviting space for breakfast, lunch, study hall and a host of after school events.
Pictured Above: Senior Mustangs eat lunch on the patio during the spring.
Outdoor Patio:
It is not uncommon to see the space directly behind our Mustang Cafe flourishing with student life. As an upperclassmen at IHS, you earn the privilege to utilize this space during your lunch wave, especially when the weather outside becomes favorable.
After school, this is a great place to relax with friends or quietly enjoy the breeze. It is outfitted with outdoor couches, picnic tables, umbrellas and a grill. Many of our teams love hosting pasta parties and barbecues in this space.
Pictured above: Student Ambassadors present to incoming freshmen at Accepted Student Night.
Learning Commons:
Our renovated Learning Commons stands as a bright, air conditioned, multifunctional space for the entire Mustang community. From dismissal until 5pm, the Learning Commons remains open and proctored by a staff member.
The space is large enough to accommodate upwards of 150 students comfortably with unique seating arrangements made available to all. With different seating options such as cubicles, couches and regular tables, there is a space for every student to use the Learning Commons.
This is a great space for group projects, quiet study time or after school homework. Included is a printer and desktop computers in case students have to print an assignment or are unable to use their school laptop.
Rebranded Hallways:
As students head down the main hallway at the beginning and end of every school day, our rebranded wall decor offers a sense of school pride and a gentle reminder of the characteristics necessary to be the best version of ourselves. Go Mustangs!
Chapel:
The John Hossan Chapel is often regarded as the cornerstone of our campus, being a space that is open every school day for Adoration, quiet reflection and prayer. While our school community is vibrantly Catholic, our Chapel is intended to serve as a home for the entirety of the student body. Recently, the Chapel was renovated to include beautiful glass mosaic windows, a large painting of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ and new pews to ensure that all students can comfortably utilize the space to continue to grow their relationship with God.
Athletic Facilities at Immaculate:
We have upgraded our athletic facilities to give our student-athletes the best resources to elevate their abilities. Student-athletes have access to a variety of amenities such as a new turf and track, Fitness Center, indoor golf simulator and renovated locker rooms.
The impact of our resources plays a large role in assisting our student-athletes to perform at their best. The indoor golf simulator and batting cages are a welcome alternative when there are poor outdoor playing conditions, while offering new dedicated spaces for those programs to practice.
Click on the video above: New turf and track installation was completed in 2023.
2023 Turf & Track Installation:
Students were welcomed back to campus this year with a new $1.3 million turf field and track (pictured below), granting our student-athletes a space where they can continue to perfect their craft without having to worry about safe playing conditions.
It enhances safety by providing a consistent and cushioned surface, reducing the risk of injuries compared to natural grass and outdated tracks. The turf is durable and weather-resistant, ensuring the field remains usable year-round and minimizes cancellations due to poor weather conditions.
This reliability supports athletic programs, physical education classes and community events, promoting fitness and active lifestyles.
Fitness Center:
In the Fall of 2021, IHS created an all-inclusive Fitness Center complementing our existing weight room.
For students who are just getting into working out, our strength and fitness coach is on campus a few days every week. Our Fitness Coach is a great resource and always willing to create a personal lift plan, monitor your form and ensure that the equipment is used both safely and properly.
The Fitness Center features both cardio-exercise machinery, as well as auxiliary machines intended to work key muscle groups. Regardless of your student’s experience in the gym, we have designed an environment where all physical training is celebrated.
Weight Room:
Our weight room is a sanctuary for teams to lift and train together, in preparation for competition. There is signage posted around the gym with the purpose of steering our athletes’ minds to complete their workouts with deliberation and intent.
The varsity weight room contains dual-purpose bench and squat racks, a Smith Machine and a full set of free weights to accommodate students of all lifting abilities. Whether you are a seasoned lifter or not, there are a variety of exercises that can be performed.
Pictured Above: Student-athlete practicing with the indoor golf simulator.
Indoor Golf Simulator:
Our golf teams compete in different seasons, requiring a space to continue training during long winter months where outside surfaces do not permit safe playing conditions. Instead, the indoor golf simulator allows athletes to practice interactively, in the comfort of the athletics wing.Boys golf competes in the fall, with girls golf competing in the spring. The simulator is a great space dedicated specifically to our golf athletes, with the system actually allowing our student-athletes to have scores and progress tracked during use.
Indoor Batting Cages:
Preparation for athletic success at Immaculate requires a proactive approach to training for each season. Our softball and baseball programs utilize indoor batting cages during pre-season and when weather conditions restrict the use of the field.
Rather than lose a day of training, our athletes can work on pitching, catching and hitting all within the confines of our Bobby Plumb Gymnasium. The system is stored on the roof of the gym, alleviating any stressful cleanups and ensuring that the resources will only be used by the appropriate parties.
Where Great Resources are Paired with Outstanding Students…
For a student considering Immaculate for high school, picture this…It's after school and your team bus doesn't leave until 3:30pm, so you can head to the Learning Commons to start your homework.
Your aunt is having surgery and she is on your mind, so you can stop in the Chapel to light a candle. Maybe you're getting excited about lacrosse tryouts in the spring and want to get in shape, so you can utilize the fitness center and weight room after school!
At IHS, our school resources are available to the entirety of the student body. Our goal is simple: for our students to use these offered resources to the fullest. When great resources are paired with dedicated students, extraordinary outcomes come alive within our hallways and beyond, each and every day.
