School starting this academic year for the more than 1,900 students enrolled at Niles North High School brought with it access to a newly renovated digital media lab with bells and whistles instructors say is as high level as some students’ dreams.
“This renovation now puts our students’ creative space and toolset on the same high level as their ideas and aspirations,” said Ivan Silverberg, an English Department teacher at Niles North.
The 2025-2026 academic year started Aug. 12 for the more than 4,400 students enrolled in Niles Township High School District 219, which is made up of Niles West and Niles North high schools.
The unveiling of the refurbished digital media lab at Niles North comes after an overall renovation and expansion was completed at the high school in summer 2023. District 219 spokeswoman Takumi Iseda explained to Pioneer Press that the media lab was a project for this year, and it includes a classroom with editing workstations, creation spaces, a filming studio and a collaboration area.
“The creation spaces, classroom, and film studio along with updated digital tools support students as they write authentically for production applications and cultivate communication skills that prepare them for college and career opportunities after Niles North,” said Silverberg.
The lab is used for courses that support students’ pursuits of careers in arts, technology and communications. The classes include broadcast production, motion graphics, journalism and digital storytelling, as well as some English classes, according to Iseda.
Skye Simpson, a Niles North student leader in the broadcast production class, says she enjoys the new space and that it helps students work cooperatively.
“It’s open and has more space. It’s more put together and helps students work with each other,” she said.