Helper, Utah is a special place. The small coal mining town has an otherworldly presence, from its charming main street that evokes a picturesque film set, to the still-operating railroad that hauls coal through town. With its flourishing art community, coupled with charming storefronts, vintage automobiles, staggering natural features, and historical buildings, it’s a city that needs no help engaging visitors. The town’s aging middle school, however, needed an upgrade, and NWL Architects met the challenge with a successful addition and renovation to the school.  

Home of the Rams, Helper Middle School sits atop the town’s west bench, just up from the city’s long stretch of steps that leads up from the Price River. NWL was able to preserve portions of the historical school building that could be retained, integrating them into a modernized building that better serves the needs of students, faculty, and the community.

The project included an addition of 35,405 square feet to the school and a renovation of 22,531 square feet, as well as a seismic upgrade for the roof and floor, and a mechanical and electrical system overhaul. The school’s pick-up/drop-off area was also updated, providing a more efficient and safe experience for students and parents. New office space, classrooms, and common areas were also added and fitted with modernized interiors that reflect the pride of the Rams, with visually inspiring wall graphics and dramatic concrete learning stairs that mimic the area’s stunning buttes. Honoring the old while celebrating the new, the revamped Helper Middle School was an educational triumph for students, faculty, and the Helper community as a whole.