The Shipley community celebrated the opening of its new Shipley Commons with a ribbon cutting ceremony and building dedication on Saturday, September 19 on the School’s Upper Campus. The transformational 26,000 square-foot facility is one of the most environmentally sound and sustainable buildings on campus and is designed to contribute to positive learning and social experiences for students and faculty.

The new Commons includes an intimate and flexible performance venue, visual and performing arts classrooms, music studios, rehearsal spaces, student gathering areas, and a new dining facility. Through careful positioning, choice of materials, and meticulous overall design, Shipley and MGA Partners worked together to build a learning space designed to achieve a LEED Silver Certification.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony took place during the School’s annual Super Saturday carnival and began with welcome remarks by Steve Piltch, Head of School; Adam Spector '86, Chair, Board of Trustees; Maya Overton '16, All School President; and Brooksley Wylie, Board Vice Chair & Campaign Tri-Chair, followed by the cutting of the ribbon. The reception continued with a community barbeque with Shipley students, families, faculty, administrators and Board members in attendance to celebrate this exciting expansion on Shipley’s Upper Campus. On the playing fields, families and an enthusiastic Swamp (Shipley’s student cheering section) cheered on the Gators in a number of sporting events.

At a cocktail party on the same evening, alumni from around the country, current and former faculty members, and many Shipley families past and present honored beloved retired art teacher Chris Wagner, for whom the Chris Wagner Arts Center in the new Commons is named. The work of over 50 alumni filled the gallery space upstairs to showcase how Chris Wagner’s guidance and tough love molded the lives of so many successful artists. A commemorative catalog of the show was published and distributed in honor of the occasion.

“The Shipley Commons offers an energizing new learning environment in which each individual student can continue to pursue academic excellence, love of learning, and compassionate participation in the world – in a space designed to foster creativity and to provide a strong foundation for their success, now and in the future,” said Steve Piltch, Head of School. “We are thrilled to unveil an addition to our campus that so beautifully brings our school’s values and mission to life.”

With the completion of the Shipley Commons, the School is continuing construction on the next element of Phase II of The Campaign for Shipley, a Learning and Research Center, slated to open in early 2016. This new library, in the School’s Main Building on Yarrow Street, will include flexible classrooms and study areas featuring vast research resources, multi-media and communication channels, and powerful software, enabling students to discover, discuss and present their knowledge. Designed to support and maximize interdisciplinary learning and differentiated instruction, this academic nerve center will be a dynamic learning complex for Middle and Upper School students to congregate, inquire, collaborate, create and learn.

Learn more about the Campaign for Shipley: Foundations for Success.