Southborough – St. Mark's School recently announced a $5 million challenge grant from an anonymous foundation. The grant will fund substantial renovations to the school's historic Main Building, including space that will house the Center for Innovation in Teaching & Learning (the Center).
The Center is the cornerstone initiative of St. Mark's 2020, the first comprehensive strategic plan in the school's history. St. Mark's 2020 defines a bold and compelling vision for the fulfillment of St. Mark's mission in the coming decade and beyond, and was unanimously approved by St. Mark's Board of Trustees last fall. The Center will identify, adapt and introduce new educational approaches, support faculty development, and provide enrichment and academic support for students. The other core initiatives in St. Mark's 2020 are STEM and the Global Citizenship Initiative.
John Warren is the Head of School (Class of 1974).
“This incredibly generous grant is the ultimate vote of confidence in St. Mark's 2020 and our plans to make our beautiful Main Building a first-class space for living and learning,” Warren said.
Renovation on the Main Building began this summer. St. Mark's “School Under One Roof” model made possible by the Main Building is a critical component of an impactful St. Mark's education. The speed and depth of relationships formed among students and with their teachers are enhanced by the proximity of living, learning and community spaces. As St. Mark's prepares the Main Building to house the updated educational program defined in St. Mark's 2020, some spaces will be enlarged, others are no longer necessary, and still more must be created. The exterior will not change substantially, but the interior will become a model for residential school buildings, just as it was when it was built in the early 20th century.
Kirk Swenson is the Executive Director of Development.
“St. Mark's 2020 is a once in a generation opportunity to transform the school, though a plan is simply a stack of paper without the right philanthropic partners,” Swenson said. “This grant will inspire the generosity of other loyal St. Markers who wish to see the school serve as a beacon of educational innovation. With the committed philanthropic partners, St. Mark's will fulfill the vision laid out by St. Mark's 2020 and create an institution that fully lives up to the promise of Age Quod Agis in the 21st century and beyond.”
St. Mark's School in Southborough is a co-educational, college preparatory boarding school affiliated with the Episcopal Church. The school was founded in 1865 and enrolls approximately 350 boarding and day students. For more information, go to www.stmarksschool.org
