By Felix Hoover

For YourNewsColumbus.com

One of the city’s most storied high schools and another starting anew will open their doors to students on Monday, Jan. 5.

Three days before the opening, Columbus City Schools officials led tour of the two buildings, East High School, 1500 E. Broad St., and Downtown High School, 364 S. Fourth St. Both locations offer state-of-the-art technology.

For the past two years, students at East have attended “East High School on Arcadia,” the old North High School. The move allowed $30 million worth of renovation and expansion at the E. Broad site.

Folks who remember East’s state basketball championship teams of the ‘50s and ‘60s might also recall that their home games took place on the stage of the school auditorium. One of the most notable changes is the addition of a separate wing for the gymnasium.

The 900-seat auditorium has undergone change as well, with new carpet and new padded seats to replace the old wood ones, said Warren Hubbard, project director for the school district.

Building the Downtown school, a career center, also cost about $30 million, said Dave Mangas, director.

It is part of the district’s effort to consolidate its four career centers into two locations, the other being Fort Hayes, director Dave Mangas said

“Having a facility Downtown allows us to partner with local businesses,” he said.

The school will offer training in business, information technology, engineering and personal services, including cosmetology and food services.

Initially, 11^th-graders will attend 2 ½ hours in the morning, and seniors, 2 ½ hours in the afternoon. Next year, students will spend the whole school day at the one site and academic subjects will be added to the curriculum.

Eventually, the public will be able to take advantage of services, such as manicures, pedicures and hair care. A restaurant also will sell items prepared by students in the food services program.

Most of the programs will qualify students for entry-level positions in several careers. Additional education will be required to move into higher paying jobs.