A public reception and tours will be part of the dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Athens High School from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, June 2.

School is almost out for the summer at the newly built Athens High School, but school officials are planning a June 2 public dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new building, including tours of the school.

The public event is 2-4 p.m. at the new campus at 655 U.S. 31 North in Athens.

“Athens City Schools invites everyone to join AHS for this momentous occasion as the new school is properly dedicated for the students of today and for generations to come,” said Athens City Schools director of communications and public relations Dr. Chris Hamilton, in a press release issued Wednesday.

The $60 million school opened Jan. 23 and a public grand opening had been planned for March, pending completion of the gymnasium.

The dedication program will include messages from students, faculty, alumni and other distinguished guests. Music will be performed by the AHS choir and band. Following the official ribbon cutting, guests may attend a reception in the cafeteria and tour the school.

The program will be hosted in the front lobby of the high school, and the ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held in the courtyard.

The 285,000-square-foot school is designed to house 1,250 students in grades 9–12. Amenities include:

• 72 classrooms and instructional areas;

• Activity/practice gymnasium;

• Competition gymnasium;

• “State of the art” science and engineering labs;

• Student art gallery and art classrooms;

• Career and technical labs/classrooms;

• Two-story library/media center;

• Large band room with soundproof practice booths;

• 850-seat auditorium;

• Multimedia instructional panels in all instructional spaces;

• Flexible classroom seating; and

• A 1-acre courtyard to serve as outdoor classroom spaces.