The new home for Schenley High School will never earn the kind of architectural respect its previous building did.

The exterior of the Reizenstein building in Shadyside exudes the industrial blandness of the 1970s. But if the first days of the new school year are any indication, it isn't homely enough to squelch the spirit of the students who will occupy its halls until the last class graduates in three years.

When Superintendent Mark Roosevelt urged the school board to close Schenley's landmark Oakland building earlier this year, a bitter fight with parents and alumni ensued.

Because the cost of rehabilitating the asbestos-plagued school was prohibitive, the board agreed that Schenley should be closed. It was a heartbreaking outcome for many, especially those who wanted their children to walk the same hallways and sit in the same auditorium they did decades ago.

To become the new Schenley, Reizenstein has been upgraded with new furniture and lounges for the students. Freshly painted walls, clean bathrooms and bright classrooms will go a long way toward making the heart grow fond.

Nostalgic as many students may be for their old building, they will adjust to their new environment just fine. It is the nature of young people to be resilient in the face of change.

All of this is a reminder of a simple fact. A school is not a building; a school is the community of learners and teachers. Because of that, Schenley's spirit may still shine.