With planned growth in the Arts, as well as a focus on enhanced dining experiences, Providence Day School is planning to transform over 22,000 square feet of McMahon Fine Arts Center and the Dining Hall, Head of School Dr. Glyn Cowlishaw announced this week. This comprises 14,000 square feet of new space, and 8,600 square feet of renovations to be constructed on the side facing Sardis Road.

The Board of Trustees has planned with school leadership for this addition, which is part of their stewardship of our school’s carefully timed growth. It’s also a step in the campus vision plan they have developed - more details of that plan will be available during the next academic year. 

 Along with strategic, intentional, and measured growth in enrollment each year has come an expected increased enrollment in Performing Arts, particularly in the disciplines of strings and chorus, so this addition will bring new classrooms and rehearsal space to students. It will also bring larger, renovated spaces for the Lower School Music room and the Middle School Art room. It will bring a greatly improved dining experience, offering age-appropriate dining spaces, a learning kitchen, and faster serving times. There will be enhanced outdoor spaces for dining and gathering.

After beginning this summer, the project is scheduled for completion in August 2022. The campus expects minimal disruption during the academic year and expects to preserve plenty of space to continue to offer outdoor dining to students, faculty, and staff.

 “During my decade at Providence Day, our school has shown a talent for turning its imagined dreams into reality, and this will be no exception,” said Dr. Cowlishaw. “I’m looking forward to this opportunity to increase the sense of belonging and connectivity we treasure on our campus.”

Click here to see a video preview of the project.

Click here to see rendering images of the project.

Click here to see construction progress through early November 2021.