Masterman Expands to City Hall

Citing chronic overcrowding, the School District announced Masterman would be expanding its campus into Center City. Increases in the size of the freshman class has propelled the school’s population from “over-capacity” to “extremely over-capacity.” “We know how to deal with ‘over-capacity,’” noted Dr. Watlington. “But ‘extreme over-capacity’ requires drastic action.” Luckily, work-from-home policies in the Mayor’s Office have left City Hall half-vacant, and presented a perfect location to house the middle school. Mayor Parker, a former elementary school teacher, applauded the decision.

According to building records, Masterman was built in 1958 to house 570 students with the purpose of becoming an academic magnet school for grades 4 through 6. In 1959, a junior high school program was proposed and a senior high school program was added seven years later. In 2025, Masterman’s student population is almost double that, standing at around 1,186 students, including almost 700 middle school students. These students will be shifted to City Hall, whose empty offices will be converted to classrooms, music rooms, and art studios.

In addition to the expansion of Masterman creating a more suitable building for the size of the student population, City Hall will hopefully create a fresher learning environment that is free of asbestos, rodents, and lack of gym air conditioning.

Finally, the Masterman expansion to City Hall provides students with a firsthand look at city government. In fact, the opportunity is so unique that Mr. Gilligan has decided to relocate all American History and AP Government classes to the new Middle School. “I’m sure all High School students will easily overlook the 20-minute walk when they realize the potential of holding our classes in courtrooms and the legislative assembly hall.”