Just imagine being able to take advantage of a nice sunny day and enjoying your lunch outside. Well, now you can with Apex High’s new and improved courtyard. At the old Apex, students loved being with their friends during their forty-minute lunch break, catching up, and working on homework. For the past two  years that we were at Green Level, we did not have that opportunity, so when the new school was in construction, administrators made sure of having a courtyard for students to enjoy. In this article, you will get an inside look on how the design came to be, how students like it so far, and what people may change about it. 

Before the start of 2019-2020 school year, it was spread that everyone involved in the design of the building made it a goal to have an amazing courtyard for the students. This was to not only keep them safe but also provide an environment for them to do homework, socialize, and eat their lunch. They made sure it was enclosed in case of an emergency.

According to WebMD, “Sunlight helps boost a chemical in your brain called serotonin, and that can give you more energy and help keep you calm, positive, and focused.” So, spending thirty minutes outside in the courtyard either eating, socializing, or even completing some assignments can not only give you a boost of energy but also allow you to stay focused on whatever you need to do. 

Something that has been going around the school recently has been the fact that some students find it really cold, especially the cafeteria. Sometimes (more frequently in the summer) students will come to school without long sleeves or a jacket thinking that since it’s warm out, they won’t need it, but the reality is, no matter the weather outside, it will never match the temperature inside.

According to sophomore Becca Rager, “It just gets me away from the school building and it normally feels pretty nice here, weather wise.” I feel like this is an opinion of most students whereas being in the school building for seven hours of your day is not as fun. Although many students are loving being able to take advantage of this during their lunch period, there are a few things they would change. For example, many students say that there aren’t enough places to seat everyone as many students are sitting on the ground, and some feel as though they are trapped in a geometrical area.

Aside from the changes certain students would make, many students and administrators are very fond of our new courtyard and hope that you are too! Maybe today you can go and get some fresh air while enjoying your lunch.