MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Architectural Digest recently published its list of the most beautiful public high schools in each state in the United States and Columbia High School in Maplewood took New Jersey’s top spot. CHS is one of the oldest schools in the country, having been founded in 1815, though the current Gothic revival building was completed in 1927.
“While many high school buildings might be rather bland from a design perspective, there are others that are veritable works of art — we wouldn’t blame you for mistaking them as universities, private homes or even castles, in some cases,” the Architectural Digest story read. “Representing a vast range of architectural styles, from Gothic to art deco, these structures, both historic and modern, often represent the pride of a community.”
Interestingly, SOMA’s Columbia High School was not the only CHS to make the list. The CHS in Columbia, Miss., took the top spot on Mississippi, having been built in 1937, taking inspiration from European modernism, electing for a highly geometric structure painted white.
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