Existing Shaker Middle School
(formerly Byron)
Originally Constructed: 1957
Original Architect: Perkins and Will
Auditorium added: 1958
Building History:
Originally known as Byron, and still referred to by that name by many, the existing Middle School was constructed as a second junior high school in addition to Woodbury, both serving Grades 7, 8, and 9 at the time. The cost of construction was $2,959,800, or $18.69 per sq. ft. -- approximately $215 per sq. ft. in today's dollars. The auditorium budget was an additional $796,000.
In 1985, Woodbury was closed and all junior high occupancy was concentrated at the Byron building. In 1987, it became known as Shaker Middle School with the 9th grade students moving to the High School. At the start of the 2024-2025 school year, modular classrooms were added to the campus to provide space for 6th graders to learn at this building after Woodbury's closure.
When the Woodbury Middle Years building is completed, students in grades 6, 7, and 8 will move to that renovated and expanded facility. The Middle School is then anticipated to serve as "swing space" during renovations of the elementary schools, with that use continuing until 2027 or 2029.
Once its use as swing space is complete, the plan is to demolish the existing structure. Demolition funds were included in the bond levy approved by voters on the November 2023 ballot (Issue 13).
2025 Enrollment: 930 students (grades 6-8)
(310 per grade average)
2024 Enrollment: 643 students (grades 7-8)
(322 per grade average)
2019 Enrollment: 750 students
(375 per grade average)
2015 Enrollment: 848 students
(424 per grade average)
2023 Bldg. Capacity: 946 students
(excluding modular classrooms)
Grades currently served: 6th, 7th, and 8th
Site amenities:
The site includes a track and field oval with a football/soccer field in its infield. Remaining green space is configured with two baseball/softball diamonds with outfields that can also be used as fields for football, softball, and field hockey.
Building Area: 167,084 sq. ft.
Site Area: 22.76 acres
Demolition/Abatement Budget:
$2,308,447
Project Timeline:
When the Woodbury Middle Years building is completed, students in grades 6, 7, and 8 will move to that renovated and expanded facility. The Middle School is then anticipated to serve as "swing space" during renovations of the elementary schools, with that use continuing until circa 2029 - 2031, depending on construction timelines for those renovations.
Once its use as swing space is complete, the current plan is to demolish the existing middle school structure. Demolition funds were included in the bond levy approved by voters on the November 2023 ballot (Issue 13).
Shared facilities: The original building design anticipated shared community use in its configuration, including spaces intended for adult evening classes. The two gymnasiums and the swimming pool and their lockers were configured in a separate wing that could also be gated off for use outside of school hours. The auditorium was also designed anticipating community use with a seating capacity of 976 people.
The future of the Middle School Site:
The City of Shaker Heights included the Middle School site together with the Shaker Boulevard median directly north of the site as one of four primary areas studied in its Recreation Strategic Plan completed in 2025.
The plan studied the potential for city recreational use producing two possible concepts:
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A plan focused primarily on athletic fields and outdoor recreation, with a new multipurpose artificial turf field. This concept proposed keeping the existing eastern gym building as part of a structure to support athletic activity. This proposal also included an adventure playground and on-site trails, as well as a new dog park and outdoor tennis/pickleball courts.
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A plan constructing a new recreation center. The new center would provide indoor gymnasium and pool space for the community, as well as a new outdoor pool in a scenario that suggests relocating this use from the current Thornton site. This concept included two artificial turf fields as well as the trails, playground, dog park, and courts similar to those in concept plan one.
Both options are initial ideas only, see illustrations below. We understand the city intends to continuing studying feasibility and approaches for implementation in the future, including costs and potential funding methods.
Future recreational repurposing of the site would require agreement between the City of Shaker Heights and the Shaker School District, including acceptance by the City Council and Board of Education, respectively.
Site Scenarios
Welcome to Byron, 1957
Almost seventy years ago, the current middle school building opened. Designed by Perkins and Will, a nationally-practicing firm known for their educational work, the building was intended to represent modern thinking about educational facilities. Descriptions at the time noted its up-to-date approach to meeting the needs of junior high-aged students, both facilitating concentration on learning as well as social development. Climate responsiveness and natural lighting were considered, as were the ability for shared community use both of gathering spaces like the auditorium and athletic spaces, but also accommodating evening adult learning. The floor plans show a site layout that is largely unchanged today, though outdoor learning spaces have in some cases been abandoned or even removed.