WARREN — Displaying the lasting influence of River Gate High School, past graduates showed up at the educational institution’s open house Wednesday afternoon at its new location at 1133 E. Market Street.

School administrator Jason Cooper greeted students in the hallway.

“I’m sorry this building wasn’t opened for you last year,” he said while talking to two recent graduates.

During his conversation with the former students, he inquired about their future plans. The male student was going to be an electrician and the female student was pursuing a business degree.

The high school has been in existence for 25 years, first as Life Skills and, since 2015, as River Gate High School. It serves students from grades nine to 12 from the ages of 15 to 21. These young people may have fallen behind in credits and potentially considered dropping out of school, but this new environment, small class sizes and individualized learning becomes a better academic choice for them.

Some of the programs that students can study are state certified nursing assistant (STNA), where a nurse teaches them to take blood pressures, administer shots or take temperatures on a mannequin.

“We talk to students when they begin classes here to see what their interests are, but we are flexible. If they want to change what they study after they try their original concentration, we can change to another program,” Cooper said.

For Nevaeh Stimack of Warren, who starts 10th grade when classes begin on Monday, this is her first year at the school. She is looking forward to her classes and was happy with the backpack giveaway that took place during the open house.

“The backpack has a tie dye T-shirt and school supplies in it,” she said.

The school purchased the former Albert Guarneri and Co. building in 2022.

“It took a year-and-a-half to complete construction of the classrooms, offices and restrooms,” Cooper said.

The new building is more than 5,000-square feet larger than the old location at the former JoAnn store in Warren. There is also a multimedia room.

Some construction is still in progress such as a classroom that teaches trade skills.

English Teacher Jacki Mascher is pleased that she’ll be teaching in the bright, clean inviting space.

“I look forward to all the opportunities that we can offer students in this larger space,” she said.

Students also had the opportunity to receive a free haircut from Raphael’s School of Beauty Culture barber students. All visitors enjoyed food from a Red Rican food truck and a Kona Ice during Wednesday’s open house.