Montgomery Central High School teacher and alum Todd Dunn talks about how the building has changed, but kept its character over the years. Erica Brechtelsbauer/USA TODAY NETWORK-Tennessee


After 48 years, the architecture of Montgomery Central High School still stops drivers to take photos on the side of the road.

It also turned heads at Architectural Digest, which recently named MCHS the "Most Beautiful Public High School" for the state of Tennessee. The magazine gave the honors to one school in each state, often focusing on historic buildings. 

So on that list as well, MCHS stood out. 

"Perhaps the most unusual school building on this list, Montgomery Central features a midcentury-modern design," said author Stefanie Waldek of the building, designed by John Shaver. 

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The building was ahead of its time from the start in 1969, and even after major renovations, it has maintained much of its original character.

In what were then known as "clusters," building pods sit on a pond that surround the main building.

Todd Dunn, U.S. history and sociology teacher for MCHS, remembers the school's opening when he was only 6 years old. He was the homecoming crown bearer, and recalls what it felt like walking into the gym.

"It looked like a collegiate gymnasium at the time: the jumbotron in the center, bleachers all around that could hold around 2,000," Dunn said.

Until five years ago, the original gym floor was still in place, and just until last year, the original lockers were still in use. Principal Christy Houston still has some of them standing in her office.

As the years have gone by, more walls have been put up, but Dunn recalls the open classroom concept during his early teaching career. Only small dividers split classrooms.

"You could listen to what was going on in the class beside you and across the hall," said Dunn.

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In the early years, students would walk outside to get to the pod classrooms, where, as now, they are all connected. Many classrooms were also built and still remain designed for lectures.

"I think the building is a representation of a unique and connected school community. It's a very special place where we get to work and live," Houston said.

In September 1969, the cost of building MCHS was a mere $2.8 million, in comparison to six years ago where renovations alone cost $20 million.

As those working and learning within MCHS have adapted to changes in education over the years, its building has also made advancements, while still staying true to character.

For natives like alum Todd Dunn, who witnessed his entire family walk through the school's doors, it remains just as special as it did in 1969.

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