The new Moody Middle School offers much more in every way for students returning to school this fall in Blue Devil Country.

The new MMS boasts larger classrooms and labs, more computer access, a library with room to grow, security linked to the local police department, a large gym/auditorium and a courtyard-style cafeteria to name a few.

Students enjoying their second day at school might not know, but once construction on the building was completed, teachers, faculty and members of the community had only a few days to move their stuff out of the old MMS building into the new one.

Teacher Judy Banks, a 27-year veteran at MMS said of the 76,00 square foot facility, “I think I’ve died and gone to heaven. I love it here. It’s so big and we have so much storage. I love the color schemes and I’m excited for the children.”

Banks and other faculty all said pitching in together with members of the community to move the school a few hundred yards was tough, but it was something they were glad to do. “It was a tough job, but well worth it.”

“Everybody pulled together because we had a goal and we got a lot done in a short period of time,” fifth grade science teacher Mary Morton said.

Packing up the old MMS began in May and wrapped up in June. They only had a few days, but teachers, along with parent volunteers and six inmates on loan from the St. Clair Correctional facility made the many trips from building to building until everything was in place.

At that point, putting everything where it should be was done at an impressive rate. On a tour through the library Monday, large boxes lined what would be open areas come Tuesday, when the school held its meet-your-teacher night.

Principal Debra Allred said that only having a few hours last weekend and two days this week to finish up was daunting, but “nobody was grumbling. Everybody was working together, which is kind of amazing.”

Of the volunteers and staff moving everything from building to building, she said, “They came here to work. There’s some excitement amongst the teachers. It’s refreshing. A new building, a new start, everybody’s been supportive and friendly.”

The new MMS, constructed by Blalock Building Company, features state-of-the-art elements such as its new computer lab, which will offer 30 students at a time the opportunity to learn new technologies.

There will also be an art room. “We’ve never had an art room before,” Allred said.

The library is large, huge when compared to the classroom-sized library at the old MMS. It also has 10 computers for kids to access.

Sixth grade science teacher Ginger Freeman said that she’s thrilled about having a large science lab to assist in her teaching. There are two science labs in the new MMS. “I’m thrilled, as a matter of fact,” she said.” “I will spend more time in the lab than I will in the classroom… It’s all hands-on, all year.”

As part of growing the science department at MMS, two members of the local Boy Scout troop will be helping to install a butterfly garden and a fountain that will be housed on campus.

The new gym and auditorium can seat 320 people in the bleachers. Having a much larger gym will now allow Moody to host sports tournaments, one of which is already being planned for December.

The new gym will also have concession stands and high school sized locker rooms.

The school’s cafeteria is set up like a food court, with flowerpots holding umbrellas in bistro style. A large mural will soon adorn the walls. “We’ll feel like we’re outside, even in the heat,” Principal Allred said.

The school’s 48 cameras will be linked to Moody’s Police Department for an added security presence at the new MMS.