New labs for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) at Academy of Holy Angels in Richfield, Cretin-Derham Hall in St. Paul and Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Minneapolis are among facility changes that will greet students at 13 Catholic high schools in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Totino-Grace in Fridley has new synthetic turf in its stadium rather than grass, and St. Thomas Academy in Mendota Heights has updated buildings original to the school’s founding in 1965. Some details:

A student at Academy of Holy Angels in Richfield works in the school’s interdisciplinary lab, which is part of its new Innovation Center. The iCenter also includes STEM-oriented classrooms. COURTESY ACADEMY OF HOLY ANGELS

Academy of Holy Angels, Richfield

A three-phase plan to improve science, technology, engineering and math at Academy of Holy Angels in Richfield will be complete by Aug. 30, the start of school. With nearly 7,500 square feet in new and renovated classroom space and open areas for students, the new Innovation Center — the iCenter — includes an interdisciplinary lab for all levels of science, two new STEM-oriented classrooms, two remodeled classrooms and a technology hub to support students and faculty. The lab and classrooms include cutting-edge tools to conduct applied research with a network of business, collegiate and government partners.

An architectural drawing depicts the new Ryan STEM Center at Cretin-Derham Hall in St. Paul, planned to enrich math, science and engineering, and fine arts curricular and co-curricular opportunities. COURTESY CRETIN-DERHAM HALL

Cretin-Derham Hall, St. Paul

A Ryan STEM Center will greet CDH students this fall, with project-based learning and hands-on design and construction, in honor of the generosity of alumnus Ron Ryan, founder of R.J. Ryan Construction, and his wife, Patty. It will enrich math, science and engineering, and fine arts curricular and co-curricular opportunities, said Frank Miley, school president.

Students at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Minneapolis preview some of the capabilities of the new Ken Melrose Technology Lab that officially opens Oct. 7. Lab equipment includes the ability to work on coding, computer-aided design, circuitry, audio-visual editing and social media marketing.

Students at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Minneapolis preview some of the capabilities of the new Ken Melrose Technology Lab that officially opens Oct. 7. Lab equipment includes the ability to work on coding, computer-aided design, circuitry, audio-visual editing and social media marketing. COURTESY CRISTO REY JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL

Cristo Rey, Minneapolis

A Ken Melrose Technology Lab will open Oct. 7, with equipment to incorporate coding, computer-aided design, circuitry, audio-visual editing and social media marketing. Equipment includes a laser cutter, 3D printers, drones, robots, video and photography software.

The parking area and roundabout in front of Founders Hall at St. Thomas Academy in Mendota Heights were removed and are being replaced with green space for classes, events and outdoor eating. COURTESY TYLER MADDAUS, ST. THOMAS ACADEMY

St. Thomas Academy, Mendota Heights

A nearly $6 million upgrade of “legacy buildings” that date to the high school’s founding in 1965 will be completed by Aug. 31, the first day of school. Founders Hall, the campus’ original building, will have larger classrooms, lockers, an upgraded HVAC system and an elevator that makes the campus entirely handicapped-accessible. A former parking area and roundabout in front of Founders Hall were removed to create green space for classes, activities and outdoor eating.

Recent facility improvements at Totino-Grace include a synthetic turf field replacing grass at the school stadium. COURTESY MICHAEL CRISWELL

Totino-Grace, Fridley

A synthetic turf field at the school stadium has replaced its grass field for soccer, football, lacrosse, track and field, and physical education classes, with a video scoreboard replacing an analog scoreboard installed more than 40 years ago. There is a new campus recording and audio engineering studio and a research laboratory for biotechnology, bioengineering, molecular biology, microbiology and genetics, physiology and forensic science.

Other high school improvements this fall include:

  • Bethlehem Academy in Faribault finished a three-year project to replace all 153 windows in the school to reduce heating costs, paved its second parking lot and installed new security cameras.
  • Chesterton Academy of the Twin Cities in Hopkins updated its HVAC and safety systems.
  • Visitation School in Mendota Heights replaced the roof of its monastery building and the administrative wing of the main school building, and added a parking lot.
  • DeLasalle in Minneapolis completed upgrades this year to its HVAC system for better ventilation in classrooms and offices, and added air conditioning to the nearly 100-year-old building.
  • Hill-Murray in Maplewood completed a number of projects, including 12 remodeled classrooms with new furniture; new theater lights, paint and lighting in the entrance and hallway around the theater; new main entrance and front desk.
  • Providence Academy in Plymouth added a confessional in the chapel (previously, students used the sacristy) and an art studio for lower grade and middle school students.
  • Agnes in St. Paul installed a new phone system with technology upgrades; added air conditioners; replaced doors and locks; installed new flooring in three classrooms.
  • Holy Family in Victoria replaced wooden chapel doors with floor-to-ceiling glass doors, added new carpeting to the chapel and a wing of the school, replaced furniture in several areas, upgraded filters for heating and cooling units, and installed new technology programs that will connect across all platforms.