Milestone Groundbreaking for New Lower School at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy

On Friday, June 1, the Springside Chestnut Hill Academy(SCH) held a special groundbreaking ceremony for a new lower school named, the McCausland Lower School & Commons. Construction is set to begin by the end of this month and is projected to be finished in time for the first day of school in the fall of 2019.

The boys and girls who are now in the Pre-K program, and who will be the first class of first graders to move into the new building, led the groundbreaking ceremony for the SCH community and congregated on the spot where the front door will be located. The students sang a John Denver song, “Inch by Inch”, as a metaphor for the growth that will occur in the new space.

The McCausland Lower School & Commons comprises a new building, outdoor green space, and common area, which will serve SCH students in grades Pre-K-4. The project is the centerpiece of Phase II of the school’s Campus Master Plan, a multiyear capital campaign. The lead gift is from the McCausland family—Peter and Bonnie McCausland, Elizabeth and Kyle Salata, and Chris and Kristina McCausland—and other contributions to this project. SCH has already raised 90% of the funds needed for the $34 million capital campaign and will be continuing Phase II fundraising efforts.

In addition to the Pre-K students, and the McCausland family, SCH Board Chair Dick Hayne, SCH Head of School, Steve Druggan, members of the Board of Trustees, parents, and local community partners also came together for this milestone event.

Steve Druggan remarked:

“This space is designed to showcase SCH’s standout educational program, one that is forward-thinking and nurturing and will serve as the latest example of SCH’s position as a leader in educational thought and practice…The new building and outdoor common area will serve SCH’s youngest community members as they begin their educational journey. I am thrilled that the first class of first graders, as well as our donors and board members, were able to join us in kicking off this important project, which will enable us to even better serve our students and community.”

The McCausland family, Dick, and Steve, hoisted a ceremonial shovel and took the first dig.

Bonnie McCausland, representing the entire McCausland family, shared:

“Peter and I and our family are so thrilled that SCH is in such a good place and has such a promising future. We applaud the many individual efforts which make SCH such a great school—teachers who instill a love of learning and thinking in their students, parents who volunteer, alumni who return and support the school to show their gratitude, staff members who keep our school running smoothly—each of these individual efforts combine to forge an amazing culture which is SCH. The McCauslands are glad to be a part of it.”

Take a look at the videos below to view the “Built for Us” video featuring the McCausland Lower School & Commons and the highlights of the groundbreaking ceremony on Friday.

*Photos and videos provided by Springside Chestnut Hill Academy.