This year marks a long-awaited homecoming at Frankford High School in Philadelphia.

After nearly two years of being displaced due to asbestos contamination in the building, students and staff are finally returning to the historic building, now completely transformed following a $29.9 million renovation.

District officials, teachers and community members marked the milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday, one week before the first day of school in the School District of Philadelphia.

The central section of the 108-year-old building was shut down in April 2023 after asbestos was discovered. The closure forced hundreds of students into virtual learning or relocation to nearby schools, including some who were sent to a local middle school.

Now, the building boasts brighter, cleaner and safer learning spaces.

"It looks so wildly different, it's unrecognizable from what it used to be," said English teacher Steven Gravelle. "The floors alone were a dark brown, and now they're this light, beautiful color. "

The renovations include:

• New ceilings and energy-efficient LED lighting in classrooms and hallways
• Vinyl flooring in the cafeteria, replacing outdated tile
• Improved air quality and ventilation
• Sealing and protective encapsulation of remaining asbestos materials, particularly on the third floor

Despite some asbestos still being present, district officials say it's safe. The asbestos that remains has been professionally contained and sealed with protective materials.

For Gravelle and others who taught through the disruption, returning to the updated building is emotional.

"It's a big relief to know, to see now all the work that they described that they've been doing for so long to encapsulate the walls in particular," he said. 

Principal Michael J. Calderone called the return "surreal." 

"It's been two and a half years since we left," Calderone said. "It was dark, the windows didn't open. It's so bright. The floors are redone, air conditioning. It's unbelievable," Calderone said.

Kaylanie Cabrera, who graduated from Frankford in 2023, now works at the school as a bilingual counseling assistant.

She remembers the shift to virtual learning during her senior year and says she's proud to be back.

"I think it's an exciting moment for Frankford High School. … Just seeing the whole building, it's different," she said. "I got shocked myself."

Teachers are already preparing classrooms for the return of students next Monday, the first day of classes for the 2025–2026 school year in Philadelphia.