I’m sorry to say, it sounds like there never was a bowling alley in Bronxville School, despite rampant rumors that claim otherwise. Even if we have to put this rumor to rest, there are several other interesting structural Easter eggs hidden around the school—one, in particular, seems even more far-fetched than the bowling alley, but it’s entirely true!

Mr. Agnello—who has been at Bronxville School for 25 years now and whose favorite class to teach remains 6th-grade Guidance—offers his thoughts on some of the structural changes around the school, the mysterious attic once thought to hold the bowling alley, the origins of the bowling alley rumor, and what changes we might see in the school in another 100 years.

When Mr. Agnello first taught at Bronxville, there was no C-wing; all the math classrooms and science labs were scattered throughout the A- and B-wings, rather than clustered together as they are today. Furthermore, many administrative offices used to be classrooms, including the middle school office in the rotunda and Mr. Agnello’s office at A202. In fact, the chalkboard in A202—which may very well be the last chalkboard in the school since Mr. Halling got rid of his in C219 over the summer—is the very same one Mr. Agnello used in his first ever class taught at Bronxville, a 10th-grade English class.

In addition, the chorus and orchestra at the far end of the B-wing used to be the “Old Girls Gym” (because guys and girls had different gyms back them) and Mr. Mitchell’s room at B111 and the LifeSkills classroom at B109 just down stairs used to be their locker room. The high ceilings and tall windows of the chorus room are artifacts of its time as a gym—perfect for a game of basketball!

The more recent auditorium renovation as well as the addition of the Learning Commons, Innovation Center, and new high school counseling offices have drastically modernized the interior of the school, but Mr. Agnello appreciates the school’s decision to keep much of the original architecture, especially the stained glass windows and original woodwork of the library. The school’s structure is an interesting mix of new and old, modern and nostalgic, that is undeniably unique.

Although the bulk of the school’s structural changes involve the repurposing or renovation of rooms, the attic is a notable exception. It was permanently closed down because it used asbestos, a fire-resistant coating, which had been found to be carcinogenic. The attic is full of so much fascinating historic rooms that Mr. Agnello wishes we had been able to keep it. It may not have a bowling alley, but it did have a rifle range—yes, a rifle range, in the school. If this little tidbit intrigues you, take a look at Bronco TV, which has an entire episode exploring this rifle range.

So, it seems there is and was no bowling alley, so the question arises, where did this rumor come from? Mr. Agnello helped answer this pressing question as we found that the original Village Hall actually had a bowling alley and indoor pool, which could explain the rumors about a bowling alley and pool at the school.

The Centennial celebrates our 100 years of history at Bronxville School, but it is also important to look to the future. In another 100 years, what will the school look like? Mr. Agnello hopes that the high school will bring back the senior lounge, a room in the cafeteria where seniors could bond over video games and other fun activities, which was removed with the recent cafeteria renovation. And, of course, students and staff alike desperately wish for more parking, but who knows? Maybe self-driving cars are our future and there will be no need for additional parking. Whatever the future holds for Bronxville school, it is sure to be bright.