As one of four schools receiving upgrades as part of the 2018 bond referendum, renovations at Detroit Lakes Middle School focused on increased site security, reimagining spaces with common ownership, and bringing more natural daylighting into interior spaces. A growing concern for many older school buildings, security was a main focus for the school. A new secured main entrance was created to help administrative staff monitor and control people entering/exiting the school throughout the day. Security was also enhanced in the commons through the relocation of the main stairwell from the center of the space to the side, which removed blind spots and made the entire space more easily monitored by staff.
The resource center was moved and expanded to better accommodate the student population. Just off the new resource center is a large group collaborative space with four small group breakout rooms and an annex space that can be accessed through both the collaborative space and the hallway.
Prior to the 2018 referendum that allowed the renovations, the school also got a facelift through updated exterior façade finishes and insulation. This provided strong brand identity and school pride through the use of common finishes and colors to the other buildings within the district.
