Community Gathers to Say Farewell to Vaughn Middle School Campus

Vaughn Middle School opened its doors in 1956, and this week the original building invited the community one final time as students, staff, and alumni gathered to say goodbye to the “old” campus before it closes this June.

The event welcomed former and current students, teachers, staff, and board trustees to revisit the school and reflect on their shared experiences. Guests walked the halls, stepped into classrooms, and reconnected with friends and colleagues—many returning to spaces they had not seen in years.

In the gym, attendees were encouraged to leave their mark by signing the walls. Names, graduation years, and short messages quickly filled the space, creating a collective tribute to the generations who passed through the school. Alumni signatures spanned decades, with some dating as far back as 1959. For many, the event offered a rare opportunity to reconnect, with former classmates reuniting and sharing memories after 60 years.

Throughout the gathering, conversations centered on memories of classes, activities, and milestones that took place on campus. For many, it was a meaningful opportunity to revisit a place that played an important role in their lives while reconnecting with the Vaughn community.

Members of the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony also had the opportunity to visit and reflect on their contribution to a mural featured in the new Vaughn Middle School building, connecting the school’s history with its future.

The closure of the current campus comes as part of the district’s Facility Modernization Plan. Vaughn Middle School will move into a new, state-of-the-art building, which opens to students this fall. Recently built on Vaughn Middle School’s athletic field, the new facility is designed to support modern learning environments, including 52 teaching stations, a new Family Resource Center, a student collaborative hub, a media center, and a gymnasium. 

While the existing building will soon close its doors, its impact remains with the many students, educators, and community members who were part of its history.