photo by: Mike Yoder

A recent 23,600 square-foot addition has connected Reese Hall, left, with the rest of the Bishop Seabury Academy classroom buildings. Included in the construction was a new formal entry, visible at right, additional classrooms, science wing and a large commons room to accommodate all-school lunches, morning meetings and other large gatherings.

Students at Bishop Seabury Academy this year are getting the full experience of their renovated school building, which includes more space for classrooms and a commons area.

The renovation was completed in fall 2020 and involved connecting two buildings on the campus to create a single school building. But the Episcopal middle and high school couldn’t fully take advantage of the updated facility last year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Much like the public school district in Lawrence, Bishop Seabury used a hybrid learning model, with some students choosing to learn remotely during the 2020-21 school year. Now, though, all of the school’s students are back in person, and the increased space has been a blessing for making sure pandemic protocols can be followed.

“We’ve been happy to have everyone back on campus,” said Ellen Chindamo, the school’s development director. “It really gives us a stronger sense of community.”

The expansion, which added about 23,600 square feet to the building, also marks a new era for the steadily growing school.

photo by: Mike Yoder

A large commons area at Bishop Seabury Academy now accommodates all-school lunches, morning meetings and other large gatherings.

Bishop Seabury began work on the expansion project in 2018 as part of a plan to accommodate an increase in enrollment, the Journal-World previously reported. The academy, which opened in 1997, originally taught about 30 students, but it quickly grew, which required the school to relocate to 4120 Clinton Parkway, Alvamar Country Club’s former tennis and swimming facility. By 2007, 10 years after the school was founded, the enrollment had increased to a total of 122, the Journal-World reported at the time.

Since then, enrollment has continued to grow. The school’s enrollment in recent years has hovered around the 200 mark. Currently, Bishop Seabury enrolls about 190 students in sixth grade through high school, Head of School Don Schawang said. The renovation allows the school to enroll up to 252 students, with a cap of 36 per grade level, he said.

photo by: Mike Yoder

A student break area sits between the original wing of the school and the newly expanded section.

But the recent renovation didn’t just add more space. It also made the school more secure, as students were previously required to walk outside when traveling between school buildings, Chindamo said.

The most visible parts of the expansion can be seen at the entrance of the school. The building has a new facade, and the first thing visitors will see when they step inside is a new commons and cafeteria space. While it is used for lunch, it also provides space for the school’s student assemblies, including a daily morning meeting among the entire school population. It can also serve as a larger classroom space when needed.

The expansion also features new classrooms, most notably in the school’s science department. The biology and chemistry classrooms now have large spaces that provide a standard lecture area and lab space.

photo by: Mike Yoder

A new chemistry room is large enough to split a large class into two areas to separate lab work from lectures and desk work.

Eric Nelson, who teaches chemistry and other science courses, called the new classroom an “embarrassment of riches.” He said he will often have some students listening to lectures while others are focused on hands-on lab work.

He also said it’s been helpful for teaching during the pandemic, as his classroom now has much more room for spacing out students. Chindamo said the academy would not have been able to bring students back to in-person learning without the increased space.

“There’s plenty of room and spacing has not been an issue at all,” Nelson said.

The renovation also provided new student areas as well, including some study and lounging spaces. One new space provides the senior class with its own lounge area, which is located near the commons area. Chindamo said the academy has traditionally provided senior students with their own area, which they are responsible for.

There are other signs of change at Bishop Seabury, too. The building is not the only thing that looks different this year — students do, as well. The school previously had a dress code, requiring students to wear green, navy or white shirts and khaki pants. But those days are now gone, Chindamo said.

“They were pretty excited about that,” Chindamo said as students were seen walking through the expanded facility in their everyday clothing. “It is a different look.”

photo by: Mike Yoder

A senior lounge was part of the school’s 23,600 square-foot addition that connected two existing classroom buildings.