From Antiquated to Dynamic: Instilling Pride at Sligh Middle School

“It’s all about innovation. Students need hands-on, problem-solving opportunities, and this media center gives them those tools.”

Angela Brown, Principal, Sligh Middle School

Antiquated and dark is how Principal Angela Brown described the center. “Just not really conducive to kids coming in and wanting to be in an inviting space.”

According to Thaddeus Bullard, President of the Bullard Family Foundation, Sligh was historically known as a “bad school,” and the outdated media center only reinforced that perception. With zero flexibility to accommodate different learning styles or facilitate collaborative, hands-on activities, the space failed to spark creativity and engagement, leaving students uninspired to visit.

 “If you take kids in bad situations and put them in great environments, they have a greater chance to succeed.”  

Thaddeus Bullard, President, Bullard Family Foundation

Determined to redefine its reputation, Bullard and the school set out to create a media center where students felt valued, with access to the same high-quality resources available to their peers across the district.

The Solution

Leveraging a powerful partnership between Hillsborough County Public Schools, the Bullard Family Foundation, and Meteor Education, Sligh laid out their vision for a fully reimagined, vibrant, and inclusive learning hub.

The full-service approach of Meteor ensured a seamless, research-backed design and installation process. Covering everything from initial consultation and space planning to the final installation of furniture and learning tools, the project was delivered both on-time and on-budget.

“Meteor Education was so communicative and organized. They transformed the space efficiently.”

Megan Sullivan, Media Specialist, Sligh Middle School

Despite the challenges posed by Hurricane Milton, which shut down the school for more than a week and threatened numerous potential delays, the project remained on track. The new media center opened its doors to welcome students right on schedule and fully exceeded all expectations. “Over the last few months,” says Principal Brown, “I’ve watched it transform into something that I just can’t even believe.”

The Impact

Offering a gateway to opportunities and learning adventures, the new media center is so much more than just your standard library — it’s a welcoming environment of innovation and creativity. “Before, books felt intimidating to many students. Now, the inviting colors, flexible seating, and layout remove those barriers,” says Media Specialist Megan Sullivan. “You just want to gravitate towards a shelf, pick up a book, find a comfy spot, and just read all day.”

Sligh has begun to see tangible results from their grand initiative to improve the school — Bullard notes their ranking has improved from an F to a C, approaching B — with the media center playing a big role in that vision. In contrast to how things previously operated, students are now excited to show off this new space when they bring relatives to family nights, which encourages parents to get more invested in their children’s education.

“The students have a mindset of excellence because, when you step into a space like this, you can only see excellence all across the board.”

Thaddeus Bullard, President, Bullard Family Foundation

Transforming the media center was more than a renovation. It was a commitment to reestablishing the core values that Sligh aims to instill in its students — pride, positivity, innovation, to name a few. By turning an uninspiring, outdated space into a dynamic and engaging environment, the school has empowered students to embrace and embody these ideals in their daily lives. As Principal Brown says, “It’s beautiful. It’s what kids need. And it’s what kids want.”

The new media center sets a promising precedent for future educational initiatives. By creating an engaging, student-centered environment, the school now has a blueprint for success that can be replicated and adapted. With continued collaboration between Hillsborough County Public Schools, the Bullard Family Foundation, and Meteor Education, Sligh Middle School is well-positioned to inspire and empower future generations to achieve their highest potential.