In an address to faculty and staff in 1923, Principia founder Mary Kimball Morgan stated that she found “… progress is essential mentally before there can be any externalization of real progress. If I excavate and lay the foundation for a bungalow, I cannot use that foundation for a skyscraper. I must think ‘skyscraper’ and adjust my thought to its size and demands” (Education at The Principia, p. 92).
Mrs. Morgan wasn’t planning to build skyscrapers on Principia’s campus, but she was encouraging expansion of receptive thought to meeting the needs of her school in the most appropriate manner, without limitation or fear.
Enhancing and updating teaching spaces to keep pace with the creativity and inspiration of teachers is a crucial component in Head of School Marilyn Wallace’s vision for Principia School. As part of the strategic plan, a Middle School renovation has been identified as a top priority in a planned restoration and enhancement of all educational, athletic, and student life spaces and facilities at the School.
While Principia is more focused on character building than erecting and maintaining brick-and-mortar buildings, properly designed learning spaces can significantly enhance the educational experience. With this in mind, the Middle School project has been designed with a focus on creating and nurturing unity, identity, and functionality.
The focus on unity is an effort to bring together the core academic teachers for more natural collaboration in planning, working, and assessing student activities and progress. Creating a specific identity for Middle School students—separate from the Upper and Lower Schools—is an important element for students at this age. Combining these two elements with enhanced functional spaces will result in classrooms that encourage and allow for collaboration, grouping, and re-grouping in a variety of settings, both small and large, inside and outside of the building. These changes will promote dynamic and organic learning opportunities that allow each student to discover a natural, comfortable learning environment.
This renovated learning environment will be responsive to the needs of Middle School students and help propel Principia School to a new level of educational excellence. Imagine, if you will, Middle School students gathering in the inviting social center before school begins. The expanded science lab is prepared for students to conduct a chemistry experiment. Language arts and social studies teachers have collaborated on a lesson about the Civil War; soon they'll break into small writing groups in the flexible classroom space. The drama teacher will take students to the outdoor amphitheater, which is just a few steps outside the new entrance to the Middle School, to rehearse scenes incorporating Civil War themes.
The math teachers have opened a moveable wall to enlarge the classroom space to accommodate a class of twenty students for an algebra lesson; afterward, they'll break into smaller groups for work sessions. The art studio, now on the main level with the other classrooms and filled with light, is an inviting place for students to work on a ceramics project. A group of students gather in the library, and several have taken books with them to the outside patio. Furniture designed with great flexibility to adjust to large and small groups is used throughout the School.
These are the ideas behind the most extensive capital improvements on the St. Louis campus since the Preschool arrived 55 years ago. Principia has taken great care to maintain buildings that were constructed in the 1950s and 60s, yet the time has come for a multi-phase renovation project.
Circumstances dictate that work begin in the Middle School for several reasons. Beginning with the 2009–10 school year, Principia’s Middle School added sixth grade, creating a need for more classroom space. The Middle School currently “borrows” space from the Upper and Lower Schools to accommodate students, detracting from valuable instruction time. Most significantly, the Middle School team of faculty and staff has developed an experiential, project-oriented, and team-taught approach to learning. These educational concepts will be clearly reflected in the renovated learning environment.
Once the Middle School renovation is complete, similar transformations and updates in Early Childhood, Lower School, and Upper School are projected. The renovation project is about much more than additional classroom space and attractive architecture. The new facilities will enable Principia teachers to focus on inspiring creativity and fostering collaboration.
These improved spaces correlate with a commitment to provide all students, beginning in the sixth grade, with their own computer tablet, allowing them to create, design, manage, and submit classroom assignments from any location on campus. Students can access the library catalog, class assignment folders, and even connect with class activities from remote locations when away from school.
Once completed, the renovated learning environment will bring students and teachers together to prepare for the 21st century and continue the high standard of academic and character education programs at Principia School.
The pieces are coming together to create a dynamic, updated identity for the Middle School. We currently have $1.4 million in place toward the first two phases of the three-part, $6.3 million renovation.
Phase 1 has been completed. This phase included a new art room, library, and bookstore, as well as updated HVAC and fire sprinkler systems, electrical and plumbing work, and the removal of hazardous materials.
In order to continue progress into Phase 2, which includes a new vestibule and entryway, multi-purpose room, amphitheater, office space, and restrooms, we are seeking to raise $2 million. We are grateful for your consideration of this substantial and meaningful support. Should this prove of interest to you, we can spread the commitment over a multi-year pledge, if that would be helpful. Phase 3 will be a renovation of additional classroom spaces, which will complete the necessary changes in functionality.
As Middle School Director Alyssa Henn has expressed so well, “The renovation project is the manifestation of an inspired idea.” We look forward to discussing further with you how this inspiration might be brought to fruition.
