Lakehill Preparatory School began a new chapter in its history today with a formal groundbreaking ceremony for a new expansion project at school’s main campus in Lakewood.
Lakehill students, parents, alumni, faculty, and staff joined board members and donors to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new 16,000 square-foot facility. An additional 8,000 square feet of existing space will also be renovated. The entire project will be completed in time for the start of the 2017-18 school year.
Lakehill Headmaster Roger L. Perry kicked off the ceremony by talking about the impact this development will have on the community. “This groundbreaking is the culmination of significant efforts with our neighbors to make this possible. We appreciate their response and encouragement. Improving our school will have a positive effect on our entire community.”
Perry was joined by Lakehill Board Chair Beverly Godbey, along with Board members Chuck Burch, Carolyn Howard, Chris Janning, Colleen McCall, Brad Robinson, Irwin Thompson, Matt Trent, Dana Turner, and Brent Walker, Parent Faculty Club President Barb Witherite, and architect Jon Rollins.
"I am so appreciative to those donors to the Opening Doors Capital Campaign who showed their commitment to our school early on," Perry said. “Everyone will have the opportunity to be a part of this exciting effort and to have an impact on our students for generations to come."
The Dallas City Council unanimously approved Lakehill Preparatory School's zoning request for a planned development district and new facility enhancements on January 12, 2016. The vote came at the conclusion of nearly two years of preparation, which included feasibility studies of space needs, legal issues, and funding requirements, numerous meetings with neighbors and members of the community, and, ultimately, approval by the City Planning Commission and City Council.
The expansion will produce new lab spaces for science, writing, and computer science, as well as an art studio. It will also provide new classrooms, meeting and event rooms, and administrative offices. A centerpiece of the project is a 5,000 square-foot inner courtyard that will provide outdoor classroom and performance space.
Perry says that these dramatic enhancements will offer increased opportunities for all Lakehill students. “We will be able to expand and strengthen the programs we offer our students.”
Good Fulton Farrell is the design firm for the building project. The construction management company is Highland Builders.
Lakehill is a top-rated independent school offering a college preparatory curriculum to students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. With current enrollment at its highest level since the school opened its doors in 1971, the existing facility has reached capacity. “After 45 years of serving families in east Dallas, the opportunity to welcome even more children is inspiring,” said Perry.
“There is such dynamic growth happening in the Lakewood area,” Perry added. Everywhere you look, residents are enhancing their own homes. We are thrilled to be enriching the neighborhood with a beautiful new facility. This expansion is a win-win for us and for the community.”
“Thousands of students over the history of the school and many community leaders, past and present, have allowed us to take this major step for the benefit of the entire community. We are proud of the reputation that the school has built and are looking forward to the future.”
Construction on the new facility begins May 23.
To learn more about Lakehill Preparatory School, visit lakehillprep.org.