CAMDEN, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — After nearly a century of educating students in Camden, Eastside High School, formerly Woodrow Wilson High, will be torn down to make way for a new state-of-the-art institution.
Crews have already started to prepare for demolition. Bricks from the crumbling facade were given away as tokens of remembrance at a ceremony on Tuesday as several former students and local officials took one last look.
“It’s bittersweet,” said Arlethea Brown, class of ’89. “It actually gives me a lot of emotions, but I’m excited about what’s to come. I know that our students deserve better.”
Officials unearthed a time capsule that had been buried at the school. It contained a newspaper from 1929. The school officially opened in 1930.
“While today we prepare to say goodbye to the physical building, we will never say goodbye to what it stands for — the pride, the resilience, the friendship,” said principal Gloria Vega, who taught at Eastside for 18 years.
Students last walked the halls of Eastside in 2023. They moved into a temporary space once county officials received approval to build a new school.
“About two and a half years ago, we visited the school and we walked through and none of us were happy with what we were seeing,” said Camden Mayor Vic Carstarphen. “It took collaboration, good partnerships and just plain old-fashioned care to get where we’re at today.”
The renovated school, set to open in 2029, will have programs such as cosmetology, automotive, graphic arts, marine biology, welding, emergency management and culinary arts.
“I remember when Eastside had the automotive programs — many, many programs,” said Dr. Davida Coe-Brockington, acting superintendent of the Camden City School District. “Those programs will be back in our schools, helping our students to be competitive in the workforce.”
Dr. Eva Diane Lyle-Smith, a former band director at Eastside, believes the students will thrive in the new space.
“They didn’t get the attention that I felt that they should have from the community, and I certainly hope that they will with this new Eastside High School in the new building and facilities.”