Overview

List of 10 items.

• Why is the name of the campaign Our Future, Our Severn: A Promise?

  Our Future, Our Severn: A Promise is more than a campaign. It is a fulfillment of a promise we made when Severn School became a preschool through twelfth grade school. That is, we promised to invest in the people and programs that serve our youngest learners and by doing so establish a durable foundation for each child at a time in their educational journey that is arguably the most formative. 

   

  For the past decade, we have delivered on our promise. In addition to people and programs, we also promised to invest in facilities and provide a state-of-the art Lower School that will have spaces in which our mission can flourish. For this reason - to fully fulfill our promise - we have embarked on a bold initiative to redesign and construct a new Lower School Campus that will meet the ever-changing and growing needs of our preschool through fifth grade students.  

• What are the priorities of the campaign Our Future, Our Severn: A Promise?

  There are three main priorities of the campaign, with the first and most prominent being the construction of a new building on our existing Lower School campus to create learning spaces that honor the great work our faculty do every day in fostering the inherent promise in each and every student. We anticipate construction to begin in the summer of 2025 and that students will begin using the new building in the 2026-27 academic year.  

   

  The second priority is the renovation and upgrade of the performing arts facilities on the Teel campus, including the addition of a new balcony in Price Auditorium to boost seating by more than 20 percent, transforming the entrance and lobby, and incorporating cutting-edge lighting and acoustical systems. This objective will begin after the completion of the lower school campus building.  

   

  The final priority is to renew our commitment to Severn’s endowment funds that provide sustainable funding to support student programs and faculty development, remove any financial barriers for families, and uphold our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.  

• What are some of the highlights of the new Chesapeake Campus?

  Spanning over 65,000 square feet on two levels, the new state-of-the-art campus will fundamentally change the growth, development and overall educational experience for our youngest learners that leads us well into the next century of learning. Highlights include: 

   

  Entryway/lobby–Visitors will be greeted in a bright and welcoming entryway featuring floor-to-ceiling etched glass and doors to let in the natural sunlight and a dedicated reception area adjacent to the Flinchum gymnasium.  

   

  Library and media center—Up the stairs from the welcome area is our new state-of-the-art library and media center, a 2,400-square-foot space allowing flexibility, socialization, and teaching in group and individual settings. Special features include a circulation desk with lower service counters for pre-kindergarten to 1st graders, dedicated computer stations, a tiered learning common area, and curved ramp space with integrated bookshelves and reading nooks. There is also a dedicated work room and teaching wall with smartboards and a direct walkway through glass doors to the outside courtyard.  

   

  Outdoor courtyard–A beautiful new outdoor courtyard provides our youngest students with easy access to outdoor learning and play. The play area encourages activity and creativity with equipment for climbing and building, along with colorful tables and chairs, blackboards, and space for budding young artists. With direct connection to classrooms, students and teachers can easily flow to and from the outdoors. When inside, students will enjoy colorful and ample space for group and individual learning, display areas for their work, smartboard technology, storage and work areas.  

   

  Dining Commons–-The 2,300-square-foot Dining Commons is a highly anticipated and needed addition to our new campus. It is a welcoming space for 160 students to be seated comfortably. It also has a nearly 400-person standing capacity and provides a direct connection to the outdoor play spaces, allowing students to exit and quickly take part in breaks and recess time.  

   

  Multipurpose Room–A new 3200-square-foot multipurpose room offers an open floor plan and can host numerous social and academic functions for students, faculty, and the Severn community before, during, and after school. The area converts to a theater setting with 350 seats on retractable telescoping risers–enough space to comfortably seat our entire lower school. Other notable features include an elevated stage, acoustic enhancements, and a dedicated secondary entrance.  

   

  State-of-the-Art Classrooms—Early School and Lower School elementary classrooms on the main level and upper elementary classrooms on the second level of the building are connected by open hallways that feature plenty of room, bulletin boards with student art work and curriculum displays, and pathways to other specialty subject classrooms. For example, in the new science room, students will utilize large project desks, updated laboratory equipment and supplies, and generous work areas with access and availability to the science room roof terrace for continued learning and exploration.  

   

  Extensive outdoor facilities—New outdoor areas will encourage play, learning and community, including a new flexible seating and dining plaza, exploratory learning center, basketball court, sports fields, group play area, enclosed courtyard, nature area and trails, outdoor science terrace and more.  

• How much money needs to be raised for the campaign?

  The campaign goal is $25 million, with an expected overall cost of $30-$35 million for the complete building. 

• How much money have we raised for the campaign so far?

  We have currently raised $18.2 million toward our campaign goal over the course of several years. We are fortunate enough to have generous donors over several years who have supported the campaign. In addition, we have 100 percent of our Board supporting the campaign, and the generous donations of several cornerstone gifts from parents, alumni and others this year. These donors will be recognized through various communications avenues going forward.  

• How can I contribute to the campaign?

  A gift to Our Future, Our Severn: A Promise is an opportunity to be a part of a transformational time in the history of Severn School. We invite interested donors and friends to contact our Development Director, Shannon Howell, s.howell@severnschool.com, to learn more. 

• Are there any naming opportunities available on campus?

  Yes, there are numerous naming opportunities available and more to come in the future ranging from classroom spaces to hallways, outdoor areas and more.  Donor recognition will be established with signage, announcements, and other celebrations based on space and donor wishes. To discuss naming opportunities, please reach out to Shannon Howell, Director of Development.

• Will the number of students increase at the Chesapeake Campus with the new space?

  No, we will not be increasing the number of enrolled students at the Chesapeake Campus. We currently have 261 Lower School students and believe in the value of our class sizes and relationships developed because of those numbers. The building will be constructed with our current number of students in mind.  

• What is the timeline of the construction of the Lower School?

  Our goal is to begin construction in the summer of 2025 and we expect the build to take a full year to complete, with students using the new building in the 2026-27 academic year. 

• Is the building a complete tear-down or a renovation?

  The campus features a nearly a brand-new building with the exception of the gymnasium, which was built in 2004 and will be kept, as well as parts of the theater, which will be altered at the stage to accommodate the new multipurpose room, seating and more. The rest of the building was constructed in the 1980s and will be torn down.