The Secrets of Malden High: A Tour through Fifth Floor and Basement

Farris Qranfal May 14, 2026 2 minutes read

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There is always a wonder about the rooms you don’t see anyone go in or out of in Malden High School. Recently, I was given an opportunity by Principal Chris Mastrangelo to tour and document the basement and 5th floor. Here is what I found:

A stairwell descending to an abandoned room in the Malden High School basement. FARRIS QRANFAL

A small opening in the stairwell wall in the Malden High School basement. FARRIS QRANFAL

An abandoned room in the Malden High School basement with deteriorating walls and signs of age. FARRIS QRANFAL

Principal Mr. Mastrangelo opening a hatch in the Malden High School basement, in which he jokingly states “leads to hell.” FARRIS QRANFAL

An empty chair under harsh fluorescent lights in the Malden High School basement, surrounded by exposed pipes and forgotten storage. FARRIS QRANFAL

A worn wooden bench in a neglected locker room in the Malden High School basement, surrounded by cracked tiles and debris. FARRIS QRANFAL

A torn and yellowed notice clinging to the wall in a Malden High School basement locker room, its fading text and peeling tape marking years of abandonment. FARRIS QRANFAL

An old wooden sled leaning against the wall in the Malden High School basement, its worn surface suggesting decades of forgotten use. FARRIS QRANFAL

A window in the Malden High School basement revealing the courtyard vent. FARRIS QRANFAL

Large industrial pipes in the Malden High School basement, forming a part of the complex system that powers the building’s heating and water. FARRIS QRANFAL

Principal Mastrangelo standing at the top of a fifth-floor stairwell leading to a restricted-access area at Malden High School. FARRIS QRANFAL

A restricted-access room on the fifth floor of Malden High School that now contains ductwork, electrical systems, and maintenance equipment. FARRIS QRANFAL

A covered chalkboard on the wall of a refurbished classroom at Malden High School’s fifth-floor, hinting at the room’s past use. FARRIS QRANFAL

A wall-mounted telephone in a refurbished fifth-floor classroom at Malden High School, reflecting the building’s old age. FARRIS QRANFAL

Principal Mastrangelo opening the roof door on the fifth floor at Malden High School. FARRIS QRANFAL

A rooftop access structure and ventilation system at Malden High School. FARRIS QRANFAL

Farris Qranfal

Editor

Farris Qranfal was born on April 21, 2008, and is currently a senior at Malden High School. His parents are originally from Morocco; however, he was born in Burnaby, Canada, and moved to Malden in January 2016. Qranfal is the second youngest of four siblings: one sister and three brothers. During the summer, Qranfal spent his time in Morocco, where he traveled and enjoyed the company of his family. His goals for this year are to improve himself as a person and grow stronger, not only physically, but mentally. Qranfal enrolled in journalism to improve his writing and photography skills while also hoping to become a more active member in the Malden community.

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