Myth Busters Episode 1: The Pool on the Roof

For years, across the AMHS campus, there have been whispers about what really lies on Magnet’s roof. Every year new freshmen are sucked off into the mystery, some upperclassmen still have their doubts about their certainty of the roof. Today we will answer the time-old question,  is there really a secret oasis above our school, hidden from prying eyes?

The Myth

Much like Magnet’s giant rat myth, the “pool on the roof” myth has been passed down through generations of Magnet students. The origin of the myth is unknown, but at some point, a wise student dropped some insider knowledge, telling his/her classmates that there is a pool up there, accessible only to the privileged few. Some say it’s for staff, others claim its a backup in case the swim team needs extended training space. A few have even speculated that it has been abandoned ever since Mrs. Pinkney left and now it is an untouched relic of AMHS history. 

The Expedition

With permission from Mrs. Hurt, we had to journey to find Mr Perlmutter, who allowed us to secure a rare opportunity to explore the AMHS rooftop. Our guides for this daring mission? None other than the valiant Mr. Schaaf– the new but beloved member of admin known for his intriguing stories and relations to students, and Mr. Perlmutter— the Magnet Alumni turned Principal. Their willingness to face the fear of climbing the ladder for the sake of the truth only added to the weight of our investigation. The journey to the rooftop began with a surprise: one of the rooftop entrances is hidden in plain sight, tucked away in a hidden room that hundreds of students walk past daily without giving it a second thought. Inside a ladder extended towards the sky, after typing in a code the hatch robotically lifted, and sunlight hit the room. Climbing the ladder felt like stepping into an exclusive club, one which only a handful of AMHS students and staff members had ever been granted access. Once we emerged onto the rooftop, the first thing that hit us was the magnificent view. Park Circle stretched out before us, a panorama of housetops and bustling streets, far removed from the world of textbooks and bell schedules tear-filled our eyes.

The Truth Unveiled

Now, time for the truth: did we find a pool? The answer, surprisingly, is no. The AMHS rooftop appeared to be entirely pool-free. Instead, we found a landscape of HVAC units, vents, maintenance equipment, and weirdly a chemical test kit (we do not know the reasoning behind this but we were assured it was for cleaning purposes). After two double-checks, we walked the entire perimeter, looking for any signs of hidden doors, covered spaces, or long-forgotten structures that could have once housed a swimming arena. But we came up with nothing– just metal structures housing HVAC, wires, and an occasional pigeon sitting around. Mr. Perlmutter, standing a safe couple of feet from the railing with what appeared to be a mix of caution and regret, confirmed that there had never been a pool up here. “I have no idea where that rumor started,” he admitted. “But I promise, there is absolutely no pool.”

The Origins of the Myth

So if there’s no pool, why do people believe there is? The most likely explanation is that it started from a mischievous student—one of those classic school pranksters that makes jokes that gets repeated so often it start sounding like fact.

After talking to students at other high school students around Charleston to make sure the myth didn’t get confused with another schools rooftop pool, we found that they too have their school’s myths. Theirs consist mainly of trolls, ogres, and hidden bathrooms in the school.

Another possibility for this myth’s origin is that students misinterpreted rooftop structures from below. From certain angles, parts of the roof might look like they could conceal a pool. Some HVAC units are surrounded by low walls, and on a foggy morning, who’s to say they don’t resemble pool edges?

Unexpected Discoveries

While we didn’t find a pool, our investigation did lead to some interesting discoveries. First, the hidden ladder in the closet—how many students have walked past it daily, never realizing it led to such an off-limits space? Then there was Mr. Schaaf’s car, which we could see parked below. He took the opportunity to point out its tinted windows, proudly explaining that they were not just for aesthetics but also to keep the interior cool. We also got to see the schools cell phone tower, an incredible small tower about 3 feet tall held down by a single cinder block. Keep in mind this holds all the cellular service that runs through the school, and it is being held down by a block of concrete. Seeing all of this amazing stuff was an unexpected detour in our rooftop adventure but a fun one nonetheless.

We also realized that being on the roof gave us a new perspective on our school. From up there, AMHS looked completely different—a secret world that most students never get to see. There was something surreal about standing above the hallways and classrooms where we spend so much of our time. It might not have had a pool, but it definitely had an air of mystery.

The Final Verdict

So, is there a pool on the roof? Absolutely not. But is it still one of the most entertaining myths at AMHS? Without a doubt. The legend will likely live on, passed down to each new class of freshmen, and maybe that’s the way it should be. Some myths deserve to stick around—not because they’re true, but because they make school just a little more fun. However, due to the fact that we asked Mrs. Hurt to go on the roof in one class, then had to wait for the next Newspaper class, that gave the teachers and faculty 2 days that they could have spent covering up the pool. Multiple pool-sized HVAC boxes could easily have a pool; however, we were specifically asked not to climb on top of these multiple boxes As for us, we can say with some degree certainty that we’ve uncovered the truth.  However, the truth might’ve been covered due to the preparation the faculty had. The AMHS rooftop is just that—a rooftop. No shimmering water, no secret swim club, just a hidden ladder, a bunch of vents, and a teacher conquering his fear of heights. And honestly? That might be an even better story.