The proposed IDEAS Institute is envisioned as state-of-the-art, two-story, 30,000 square-foot, multi-use academic building on the Upper School campus for grades 7-12. The building will house:
We are excited about the vision for the Innovation Gym as it will transform our Robotics and Engineering programs by providing larger more interactive space to create, build, test and compete. The Gym will come complete with a makerspace workshop with movable furniture, cutting-edge tools and technology, and a specially designed robotics field where students can bring their ideas to life. Classes that will benefit from this space include:
Robotics
Engineering
Computer Science
Physics
Entrepreneurship
AP Capstone Research
The space will also accommodate relevant clubs and is large enough to host local, regional and state competitions such as the Innovation Games and Science Olympiad.
Holy Trinity’s Broadcast, Journalism, and Graphic Design students will stretch their creativity in approximately 2,000-square-feet of working space that will house the latest tools and technologies perfect for elevating our weekly Channel 77 news broadcast, The Growl student magazine, and our award-winning Tigrium yearbook, as well as allow for creative brainstorming sessions and cross-curricular collaborations.
That all depends on our school community and how quickly pledges (gift/financial commitments over 3-5 years) are secured. Best practice dictates that 90% of the campaign goal must be pledged before construction can begin to ensure the viability of the project.
We have spent the last five years concepting this building at a variety of sizes and specifications. We believe where we landed -- at a two-story, 30,000 square-foot structure with multi-purpose spaces and classrooms -- will best serve our growing needs while being fiscally responsible.
Our current classrooms average approximately 600-square-feet and do not provide optimum space for collaborative learning, experimentation, and for certain subjects to take flight. The new building will be a space worthy of the talent who will teach in it and will allow our teachers to expand their curriculum and their creativity.
All private institutions operate in a continual cycle of fundraising and capital campaigns. Expansion is necessary to keep us at the forefront of outcomes-based education, instruction, and emerging curriculum while continuing to showcase the benefits of experiential learning. As a school of our caliber, the expectation is that we stay on the cusp and evolve to meet the needs of a rapidly changing world. The new building allows our teachers to deliver their curriculum in a thought provoking way that resonates best with today’s learners while preparing them for the workplaces of tomorrow.
In 2017 Holy Trinity signed a 20-year lease agreement with Holy Trinity Church for the use of the current Lower School facilities. This lease provides for an annual payment of only $1 (per year) for a term of 20 years. Although we own property on the Pineda campus that could accommodate the Lower School, the lease would need to be broken and a significant donation of seed money committed to proceed in raising the additional funds required for a $30+ million plus campus buildout.
Over the course of our 67 years, Holy Trinity has consistently enhanced the Lower School so that it is now a complete campus. It is also important to mention that the Upper School has had only three major undertakings in its 24 years (two capital campaigns and one additional project to build the Scott Center for Worship and Performing Arts funded by a single donor). Current renovation plans and an addition of the IDEAS Institute will complete the core of the Upper School campus.
Small class sizes are a hallmark of Holy Trinity. We are committed to maintaining very low student-teacher ratios to deliver our relationship-centered learning experiences and have no intention of changing that.
In reality, the Upper School has had only three major undertakings in its 22 years (two capital campaigns and one funded entirely by a single donor).
Conversely, we have spent 66 years expanding and enhancing the Lower School so that it is now a complete campus. There is no additional property to expand, however HT is committed to continuing to enhance and renovate the campus as needed.
Current renovation plans and a final addition of the IDEAS Institute will complete the core of the US campus.
Given Holy Trinity is a private/independent school with religious affiliation, we are not eligible for certain grants and large corporation dollars for a bricks and mortar building. We will however be looking to some businesses for programming advice and expertise, as well as possible funding for technology and various tools and equipment relevant to their industry.
Yes, every student will have multiple classes in The IDEAS Institute between 7thgrade and senior year. They will also attend clubs, academic advising and coaching sessions, and meetings with their college advisor in the new building.
Capital campaigns are a decision of the Board of Trustees and Head of School and based on master planning. Our focus for the foreseeable future is on the IDEAS Institute.
