Denfeld High School - Future of The School

Future of The School

In the spring of 2007, restructuring of Duluth's elementary, middle and high schools was discussed. Three options were proposed:

• The Red Plan: Central and East would no longer function as high schools, leaving Denfeld as the only original high school in Duluth. Ordean Middle School would be turned into a high school with both buildings being remodeled and expanded to accommodate 1500 students.
• The White Plan: Denfeld and East would become middle schools capable of holding 1100 students. Central would not be used, as Ordean and a new western high school would be created to accommodate 3000 total students.
• The Blue Plan: East and Denfeld would be transformed into middle schools. Central would be used as the lone high school after being expanded to accommodate 3000 students.

The Duluth School District ultimately chose a modified version of the Red Plan, leaving Denfeld open and adding approximately half of the Central population. To accommodate the increased student population, two new additions to the school are being built. Additionally, the school will undergo major reconstruction in order to conform to state standards. Construction began in 2009 and is scheduled to continue until 2011. To accommodate the new addition, Denfeld's signature brick chimney had to be removed. The chimney was an original feature of the building, but had not been used in many years. Construction crews cafefully removed the bricks, and the school plans to preserve some bricks for historical purposes. As a result of the construction, students will have to attend Central during the 2010-11 school year. In 2011, Central will close, leaving Denfeld and East as the only public high schools in Duluth.