Together We Soar, Kent School’s $2.3 million campaign to expand its Middle School and grow its endowment, received a major boost last week. First, the school received a $250,000 commitment to name the new Innovation Center, which will be built on a 1,600 square foot concrete foundation that was poured in 2012 as a placeholder for future expansion of the Middle School. This gift follows a recent generous family gift of $100,000 to name the Middle School Science Lab, and a $50,000 family gift to name a Mathematics classroom. The School has also received a $50,000 gift to name the Music room. To see additional Donor Opportunities visit Together We Soar.
A second challenge grant from another generous family, also received recently, pledges $100,000 to the endowment if an additional $200,000 is raised from other donors within one year. If the conditions of this challenge are met, funds raised during the campaign for the endowment will reach Kent School’s $1 million goal.
“We are immensely grateful to these generous families for making this exciting, new Innovation Center possible and for stimulating significant growth in the School’s endowment,” Nancy Mugele, Head of School, said in making the announcement.
Designed to guide Kent School’s students to take thoughtful risks, engage in experiential learning, solve complex problems, think critically, embrace collaboration and work through the creative process, the Innovation Center will include the Middle School Science Lab, Middle School Mathematics classrooms (both reserved), and Visual Arts classrooms – including a 3D Art Studio/Makerspace (reserved) and a 2D Art Studio for all Kent School students.
“The new Middle School Science Lab will include state-of-the-art equipment for the program designed to teach students the scientific method while focusing on core understanding of key principles in Earth Science, Life Science and Physical Science integrated with environmental science and Chesapeake Bay Studies,” Mugele concluded.
These new gifts bring total funds raised in the Together We Soar Campaign to nearly $2 million. A number of naming opportunities are still available to help the School raise the necessary funds to complete the Campaign.
To finish the campaign, the Board of Trustees has formed an Ad Hoc Committee with Kent School Board President Megan B. Owings ’93, P’25, ‘27, Vice President Kate Goodall Gray, ’90, P ’22, ’25, Trustee Emeritus Chris McClary ’91 P’17,’19, and Trustee Kathleen Wootton Hurd ’01, P ’29, ’32, ’34. The Committee’s goal is to raise the remaining balance by June 30, 2025.
“We are very grateful to all the donors who have brought us to this point and we look forward to working hard this spring to expand the reach of this Campaign to include new donors who wish to be a part of this exciting effort,” Megan B. Owing
