8-lane pool with two diving boards on the bottom level. A Large Group Instruction room allows for large presentations and meetings. The courtyard in the center of the U-shaped high school has a large grass field as well as a recently installed pond. The pond was created during the 2014–2015 school year primarily by the school's theater teacher and the Drama Club. However, many other clubs and organizations contributed to the project, including but not limited to PACS, SGA, and even the football team. The pond contains many different plants and wildlife, including a few box turtles. A time capsule, set to be open in February 2062, is also buried in the courtyard. History In 1886 when the school district was formed, Bethel was a township, so the name of the school district was the Bethel Township School District. Bethel Park High School was originally called Bethel Township High School. The first high school held two classrooms and an auditorium; and employed four teachers. It was constructed in 1905 at the corner of South Park Road and Park Avenue for $6,400 and still stands today and is being restored by the Bethel Park Historical Society. The first graduating class of 15 students, five males and ten females, graduated in 1909. In 1914, the high school changed to a four-year program. Around 1920 extracurricular activities began. A 10-room grade school was constructed in 1927 next door to the high school on Park Avenue (the current site of the Bethel Park Community Center). The enrollment at the high school level outgrew the original building and the high school students switched schools with the younger students in 1934. Enrollment over the years kept increasing, which necessitated additions to the high school on Park Avenue. During the construction of a new addition to the school on July 11, 1939, a fire broke out and heavily damaged the building, but construction continued and on September 20, 1940, a dedication was held to commemorate the new addition to the building. In 1949 a gymnasium was added to the Park Avenue school and in 1952 an upper wing was constructed to meet growing enrollment and student educational needs In 1956 the Board of School Directors purchased an plot on Church Road, known at that time as McCormack Farm, and plans were drawn to create a campus environment. In the fall of 1959, sophomores, juniors and seniors moved