Carolina Day celebrates grand opening of new Lower School
August 23, 2016
The Wildcat community celebrated the ribbon-cutting and grand opening of Carolina Day’s renovated Lower School: now named Love Hall, and including Oreck Library, and the Alumni Gym. Attendees toured the new facilities and enjoyed food and music in the new Lower School Courtyard.
Built in 1956 as Asheville Country Day School, the Lower School was the oldest facility on campus. Through the “It All Begins Here” campaign, Carolina Day raised more than $5 million. The Lower School campus has been transformed by creating dynamic, learning-centered classrooms; a new, state-of-the-art library; a welcoming and secure facilities and reception area; and enhanced gym and community gathering spaces.
Love Hall features interactive, learning-centered classrooms that create spacious environments for individual and collaborative student learning. The new classrooms, designed with teacher’s input, reflect their vision and best practices for inquiry-based learning. The design also features flexible space to connect classrooms, for grade-level learning and presentation. There are new, prominent public galleries to highlight and display student work, and access to the outdoors for hands-on learning experiences.
Oreck Library is in the heart of the campus, integrating knowledge and technology throughout the CDS learning experience. New methods for research and access to information and books will transform students’ preparation for the rapidly changing, knowledge-based workplace. There are digital and print resources for research, learning, and collaboration. Spaces are also available for individual, small group, and division learning. Students can enjoy age-appropriate reading and studying areas, plus new community space for meetings and events.
Alumni Gym, formerly known as the Lower School Gym, has been upfitted with new windows, bleachers, climbing wall, air conditioning, stage improvements, increased storage, flooring, and lights.
Every day at Carolina Day School, Lower School students are engaged in meaningful work supported by outstanding teachers who inspire, challenge, and invite them to grow. CDS students are empowered to apply their knowledge and skills to collaborate, problem-solve, design, and create. The new Lower School facilities appropriately accommodate the innovative, inquiry-based teaching and learning occurring every day on campus.
Admission season for the 2017-18 school year is now open. For more information about Carolina Day School, its Pre-K through 12 independent day school program, call 828-274-0757 or visit carolinaday.org.