While students enjoyed a well-deserved summer break, our campus was a hub of activity to enhance our facilities.

With ongoing construction of the new Health and Wellness Center, we offer our heartfelt gratitude to Shawmut Design and Construction.

Slated for completion in the fall of 2026, the building will feature three basketball courts, modern locker rooms (with showers), and greatly expanded bleacher space. We can already imagine the increased energy and school spirit that will fill the air during our games.

This summer was one of the hottest on record, with extreme temperatures creating significant challenges for construction workers, who also had to contend with sunlight reflecting back onto them while installing the new building’s frame. Still, Shawmut’s team persevered—and we commend their unwavering dedication and commitment to this transformational project for our community.

Moreover, several beloved spaces on campus received significant upgrades. The Ruth Corkin Theatre was revitalized with brand-new carpeting, comfortable new seats, and a fresh coat of paint, cultivating a more inviting experience for performers and audiences. The Pappas Lab also received new carpeting, refreshing the space.

Classrooms even received a fresh coat of paint, and thanks to an idea from Upper School Head Joshua Neudel, each space also includes a unique accent wall to feature a flare of originality.

All the while, our maintenance team, which includes Tom Bray, Douglas Landaverde, Rafael Salazar, Tom Schmottlach, and Eric Smith, stayed busy overseeing projects and helping teachers set up for the fall.

Last but certainly not least, we also wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to Head of School Judith Guild and the entire administrative team. We recognize that the success of projects like these depends on countless hours of planning, coordination, and effort—much of which often goes unnoticed. Especially during such a busy summer of construction, their leadership, coordination, and tireless efforts ensured everything ran smoothly for our return.

Witnessing the framework of the Health and Wellness Center take shape is nothing short of thrilling. Last week, giving students the chance to sign the final support beam made the project feel even more real. The excitement on campus is palpable, as we can now more clearly envision the incredible facility that will soon become part of our community.

The Gator is immensely grateful for each update, big and small. Thank you to everyone involved in making our campus an even better place to learn, grow, and thrive.