On Thursday, Aug. 21, school leaders officially dedicated our new Upper School Humanities Building, a beautiful 60,000 sf space that represents part of the Our Time Capital Campaign that is transforming our campus. A team of dedicated people led and supported not only the campaign but the vision for our campus, our master plan, the construction, the massive move between buildings and countless logistics.
“We have a lot of people and a lot of reasons to be grateful, and we have an equal number of people and reasons to be proud,” Paul Barton, head of school, said at the dedication ceremony for the new building. this did not just take a village – it took a Holy Innocents’ caliber village of generous, dedicated, and highly motivated villagers committed to one goal. Our children deserve nothing less.”
The design of the Humanities Building includes a number of collaborative spaces such as a Harkness room with a large table to foster discussions in classes such as World Religions or English – spaces that did not exist on campus previously. “The space is wonderfully outfitted to be a great tool to our purpose and mission,” the Rt. Rev. Rob Wright, Bishop of Atlanta, said. “This will lead us to more ably fulfill who we say we are.”
And there is more to come. Phase Two of the campaign has begun and will result in a new 43,000 sf Lower School to be dedicated in August 2022. The construction of a central green space that all students will be able to enjoy will be completed in summer 2022 as well.
“That green space that will become the focal point of student life, emphasizing the unique sense of community that makes HIES so special,” Neil Pruitt, chair of the Our Time campaign, said. The quad will be the final piece in the campaign to transform the HIES campus.
“All parents in the HIES Community know our kids are receiving a world class education,” Mr. Pruitt said. “The dedication toward the campaign emphases the commitment of HIES to ensure our kids also are educated in a state-of-the-art learning environment.”