A world-class education deserves world-class spaces.
This is the future we are building together.
Thanks to foundational support for our campus plan, including visionary gifts from Debbie and Brian Wood, BT Legacy Families, the Board of Trustees, and the BT Foundation Board, we are now taking a major step forward and embarking on a transformational project for our school. Together, we are raising the bar for our students by setting a new standard for excellence in learning environments, facilities, and technologies within global education.
The renderings seen throughout this page are a vision for the future and may be updated as the project progresses.
Project Details & Renderings | Communications | Bidding Adieu, Building Anew | FAQs | Question Form
East Campus Transformation
Replacing the current Lower School building will be a new state-of-the-art, 50,000 sq. ft. wing for Early Years and Lower School classrooms. This dynamic, connective addition will also facilitate a new main entrance, as well as floor plans that are more conducive to the range of scholastic and extracurricular activities taking place on campus.
Systems & Infrastructure Upgrades
Major improvements will include advanced classroom technologies, much-needed mechanical upgrades, enhanced airflow and air exchange systems, and telecommunications infrastructure to support learning.
As ever, safety and security will be at the forefront of all campus improvements.
Community Spaces
A new main entrance and atrium, reimagined dining hall, and new Lower and Middle School gym will infuse campus life with vibrant and flexible spaces for gatherings, performances, athletic offerings, competitions, project-based learning opportunities, and more.
Building Progress
Timeline
June 2024 | August 2024 | Spring 2026 |
Lower School demolition begins | Campus transformation begins | Anticipated project completion |
Campus Transformation
Construction will take place from summer 2024 through spring 2026. This process will bring some temporary changes to campus life, including:
- A new flow for drop-off and pickup
- Modifications to campus parking
- Schedule and location adjustments for some activities
As the new Lower School is built, Early Years, kindergarten, and grade 1 classrooms will relocate to a thoughtfully built section of our campus, Raiderville. Though temporary, these classrooms will all be equipped with the features, amenities, and attention to detail found throughout campus.
Remaining unchanged throughout this process is our unwavering commitment to providing an outstanding experience for all of our students at all times.
A Note from our Head of School
For 160 years, Brownell Talbot has been devoted to providing an unparalleled education that prepares our students for the future and empowers them to make a positive impact on the world. This monumental project is a reflection of our community’s inspiring and enduring commitment to our students, informed by a forward-thinking campus master plan, to ensure that BT’s goals for a world-class education are appropriately matched with world-class facilities.
Please know that timely communications to our families, students, faculty, staff, and neighbors will be a priority throughout the project. We look forward to sharing updates and campus details — as well as opportunities for our entire BT community to contribute to the project’s success through a forthcoming capital campaign.
Thank you for taking this journey with us and for building the future of Brownell Talbot together.
Kristi N. Gibbs, Ed.D.
Head of School
Bidding Adieu, Building Anew
As we close out the 2023-2024 academic year, we are inviting the BT community to share memories of our current Lower School, as well as intentions for the exciting future we are building together. These reflections will be collected in a time capsule that will carry forward into our new east campus facilities.
We hope you'll join us in sharing your own personal stories and hopes on our Bidding Adieu, Building Anew message board.
FAQs About the Campus Transformation Project
Preparations for construction are underway and planning will continue throughout early 2024. The following are some key questions that we can address at this time, with the understanding that additional logistical plans and details will be shared in the months ahead and in advance of the 2024-2025 school year.
Demolition of the existing Lower School will begin in June, shortly after the completion of the 2023-2024 school year, with new construction set to begin in August prior to the start of the 2024-2025 school year.
Construction of the new Lower School and Lower and Middle School gym, along with planned upgrades and improvements within Swanson and Worthington, will require some modifications to campus pathways, parking, and traffic flow. During construction, Early Years, kindergarten, and grade 1 classrooms will be relocated to a new section of campus on the site of the current practice field, while grades 2-4 will be relocated into existing rooms on campus.
We anticipate the project will be completed by the spring of 2026.
Campus programs, activities, and services will continue throughout construction. Scheduling and locations for some events will shift as necessary.
During construction of the new Lower School, Early Years, kindergarten, and grade 1 classrooms will relocate to “Raiderville,” which will be located on the site of the current practice field (north of Skutt Field). Four temporary structures will accommodate classrooms as well as administrative offices during this time, all equipped with the features, amenities, and high attention to detail found throughout campus. Grades 2-4 will be relocated into existing rooms elsewhere on campus.
Though temporary, these classrooms for Early Years, kindergarten, and grade 1 will be designed and equipped to operate a standard of excellence consistent with BT learning environments across campus. This architectural rendering provides a vision for these classrooms as we prepare for the start of the 2024-2025 academic year. The structures themselves will be installed on campus in May 2024, with additional features to come over the course of the summer.
Scheduled play is an essential component of the school day for Lower School students, including the availability of outdoor play whenever weather permits. This will continue during construction, though in new locations. We will engage Lower School faculty in identifying spaces for outdoor play close to the current practice field. Memorial Park will also be used for outdoor play activities.
We are currently working with our project partners to incorporate playground areas that support our Lower School students’ physical, social, motor, and cognitive learning. We intend to engage our students in this planning process and look forward to sharing more details as this aspect of the project develops.
Class sizes will not change, and current programs, activities, and services will continue to be offered.
During construction, students, faculty, staff, and visitors will have access to the upper lot off of Underwood Ave. and the Happy Hollow lot next to Scott Gymnasium, with additional parking to be available on the west side of the gym.
Providing an outstanding learning environment for our students is and always will be our first priority. Demolition, which we anticipate will be the noisiest period of construction, will occur during the summer months. We will work closely with our construction partners to ensure that the process does not adversely affect our students’ educational experience.
At Brownell, we care deeply about the beautiful grounds that give our campus so much of its character and vibrancy. A modest number of trees within the project footprint will be removed, specifically on the south end of the construction area, and relocated if possible. BT is fortunate to have a certified arborist with more than 30 years of experience on our team and will work with our project partners to save any impacted trees to the best of our ability. Similarly, we will work proactively with our project team to minimize any potential effect on wildlife on campus and preserve and relocate as necessary.
Have a Question?
THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING FOR THEIR VISIONARY SUPPORT
Donors
Debbie and Brian Wood Family
BT Legacy Families
BT Board of Trustees
BT Foundation Board
Project Partners
Rainwood Development Partners
Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture
MCL Construction
Emspace + Lovgren