As students walk past the towering framework of the new Upper School Building, the sharp clang of metal and sound of hammers and drills fills the air. For now, the site is a maze of scaffolding and concrete, but soon, the dust will clear, revealing a new space built to “define Kinkaid for many generations to come.”
Excitement is building as the new Upper School building takes shape, promising to redefine the student experience. Slated for completion in July 2025, the new building will include a variety of spaces designed to promote learning, collaboration, and growth.
“I’m looking forward to moving into the new Upper School because having all our classes in one place will make the campus feel more connected,” said sophomore Alexia Hoffman. “I’m especially excited that we won’t have to make the long walk to the Learning Village for science anymore.”
One of the most notable features of the new building is the division of student areas by grade level. The Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior Center will provide a shared space for the lower grade levels, while seniors will have their own Senior Center. This change comes after many seniors expressed frustration over not having a separate space in the current building.
“I can’t wait to have a separate senior center because it’s an opportunity to become closer with the people in my grade before graduation,” said junior Catherine Rosser.
Another highlight is the addition of a new Falcon Fuel-style café exclusively reserved for upper school students. The building also includes multiple areas for students to socialize throughout the building, including the grand staircase, study rooms, and green space.
“I’m really excited about the new library where we’ll be able to study and spend quality time with friends and classmates,” said Hoffman.
The design process has been a collaborative effort, with students, teachers, and staff playing an integral role in shaping the vision for the new Upper School. Their input has helped ensure that the space will meet the needs of both current and future generations of students.
According to Construction Liaison Mr. Carter Metclaf, great effort has been made to ensure that the construction process does not disrupt the student experience. Coordinating with school activities and managing the transition of faculty and staff into the new spaces is a top priority.
“I have walked through the building many times and every time I discover something new and interesting that I did not see on my previous walk. I would encourage all of the students to take the time to look around and see what an incredible job that was done by the Board of Directors, the Building Committee, the architects and designers, and the community in general,” said Mr. Metclaf. “This is truly a building for today as well as into the future.”
The new Upper School building is a key part of Kinkaid’s All In Campaign, a historic plan for the future of the school. As stated on the Kinkaid website, the school’s goal is to “build more than physical facilities. [It is] building an education for a new, more complex world.”
