Demolition crews today began tearing down the former Moon Area Middle School building off University Boulevard. 

The district closed the facility in 2012 with the opening of its revamped middle school, which had served as the high school before undergoing an extensive, $45.8 million renovation. 

A newly constructed high school was completed and opened in 2011.

The district's new middle school houses students in grades five through eight. 

Opened in 1954, the former middle school served as the district's first custom-built high school, and then served as a junior high for grades seven through nine. Middle-schoolers were moved into the facility in 1989, according to the school district. 

Crews will install a parking lot in the building's place. This phase of the project is expected to be completed by August 2013.