A US school is undergoing a $48m (£39m) renovation to help protect children in case of a mass shooting.

Fruitport High School in Michigan is making some of its hallways curved to cut down a potential gunman's firing range and installing cement blocks for children to hide behind.

Walls are also being erected in classrooms, where up to 40 students can hide so any killer cannot see them as they pass, and impact resistant film is being added to windows.

District leaders were behind the design changes, which will see current school buildings renovated and new ones built too.

Image: Superintendent Bob Szymoniak wants to make it the safest building in the state. Pic: KCEN-TV

Fruitport Superintendent Bob Szymoniak told KCEN-TV electronic locks are being fitted to the doors, too.


"These are going to be design elements that are just naturally part of buildings going into the future," he said.

"This building will be the safest, most secure building in the state of Michigan when it opens."

"Our ask is that our community be very understanding, keep the eyes on the prize because when our high school is done it's going be magnificent."

The whole project is reportedly costing $48m, funded by a bond scheme, and due to finish in 2021.

Image: The renovation will cost $48m. Pic: KCEN-TV

Fruitport school posted the link to a news article about it on its Facebook page on Thursday, prompting mixed reaction.

"This is really sad that this is what our kids have to worry about," one user wrote.

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Another said: "It's sad how my old high school has to take drastic measures to be sure that malicious people don't hurt any students and staff. That is how America is now. But nice work on the new school."

Image: Classrooms are being designed so students can hide from the view of an attacker. Pic: KCEN-TV

While one posted: "Our country has come to everybody whining about give the criminals another chance. Quit blaming the guns and start discipline children at home like I was when I was younger."

According to the local Fox affiliate station, a false bomb threat was reported at the school in December 2018.