Updating all of the Middle School’s common spaces—the entryway, student lounges, display spaces, locker areas, and connecting hallways—is the latest progression in ongoing efforts to improve Ellis’ campus.

"Middle School students spend a great deal of time in the spaces we are planning to renovate—gathering with peers, accessing materials from their lockers, moving between classes, and displaying their work,” said Ms. Finley, who announced the project in December. "How these spaces function and look has a big impact on how it feels to current students—and prospective new student visitors—to be at Ellis. I’m very proud of all the facilities improvements that we’ve been able to make during my time at Ellis, and I’m very excited to be able to launch this crucial renovation project before my retirement in the summer of 2024.”

The Middle School currently operates in one of Ellis' oldest buildings, which was originally used for Upper School classes. Although the Middle School’s classrooms and science labs have been recently renovated, the common areas have not been updated since the 1970s. After successfully partnering with architects from PWWG and general contractor Jendoco Construction to remodel the Middle School science labs in 2022, the School will team up with both local firms once again to bring the Middle School’s most heavily used and important spaces into the modern era. 

Construction will begin in early June 2024 and will be completed before the start of the 2024–2025 school year.

Thanks to the generosity of a number of current Ellis parents, faculty, staff, alumnae, parents of alumnae, and trustees, the School has received commitments totaling over $535,000 towards the renovation project. Contributions are still being accepted to fund the renovation’s total projected cost of $608,000, and donations can be made here. Questions regarding gifts can be directed to Claire Devereux, Director of Advancement, at devereuxc@theellisschool.org.