Alcuin School, a leader in Montessori and International Baccalaureate® education, hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to launch the opening of its new World Languages and Fine Arts Building during the annual General Parents’ Meeting Aug. 25. Visit www.alcuinschool.org.
This state-of-the-art, multi-level facility is open to students in primary through Upper School. It is designed to promote educational success through an interactive student-centered learning environment.
“Alcuin has always been at the forefront of education when establishing and teaching those early learning fundamentals as a young student begins their journey towards high school graduation,” said Walter Sorensen, Alcuin Head of School. “Our new World Languages and Fine Arts Building is just one way we are providing exceptional academic facilities to support the development of the whole child, from 18 months to 18 years, making this campus and this school unlike any other as we launch another exciting school year,” he said.
The design-forward educational structure houses multiple foreign language classes in Mandarin and Spanish and provides creative spaces for music and visual arts.
Alcuin’s World Languages and Fine Arts Building is also the interim site for several courses taught in the International Baccalaureate® curriculum for the Middle Years and Upper School Diploma Programmes. These include language and literature, film and individuals and societies, as well as language acquisition.
The new facility includes flexible and collaborative learning spaces that can be used in multiple configurations that encourage student-focused learning.
The naturally lit classrooms, education suites and studios promote team teaching and encourages students to collaborate in large open spaces. As an added feature, exposed glass walls along the music and art rooms provide transparency to campus and promotes curiosity between curricula.
The art studios are created to support experimental and project base learning, which allow students the opportunity for designing, building and prototyping their work. The studios feature roll-up garage doors for larger pieces of work to move outdoors. Their adjacency to open space encourages the discovery of the campus.
Students also enjoy a sprawling covered patio balcony which can be used to extend classroom lessons to an open-air environment, as well as offer a comfortable recreational hangout.
During the ribbon cutting ceremony, Sorensen dedicated the building to Jamie and Kathy Clark in recognition for their long-time support of Alcuin.
Jamie Clark served as an Alcuin School Board member, and is currently Trustee Emeritus and Advisory Board liaison. Today, Clark manages the Investment Committee that handles Alcuin’s endowment and serves on the Finance Committee.
“Jamie and Kathy have been very generous supporters of Alcuin for more than 20 years,” said Sorensen. “The Clarks stepped up to be our very first significant donor to the campaign to make the World Languages and Fine Arts Building a reality, which will inspire Alcuin’s innovative thinkers and passionate learners for generations to come.”
About Alcuin School
A vibrant, nurturing, coeducational academic community serving students from toddler to 12th grade, Alcuin School uses the Montessori and International Baccalaureate program methods to foster critical thinking and a lifelong passion for learning. With faculty support, students at Alcuin School are eager to embrace change, question the status quo, and prepare for their future as leaders in a global society. For more information, please visit www.alcuinschool.org.