The entire Worcester Academy community turned out Friday, Oct. 17, to mark the completion of renovations to Kingsley Laboratories, the Academy's main science building, which received a $5.6M renovation over the summer.

The highlight of the project was the reconstruction of seven labs into state-of-the-art, multipurpose, laboratory classrooms.

On Friday, a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony was held under sunny skies, with a fall breeze, and before a crowd of many hundreds of cheering students, faculty, and friends of Worcester Academy. The event was being held in conjunction with the fall meeting of the Academy's Board of Trustees.

The celebration, which marked a host of modern upgrades to Kingsley, also underscored the continuing commitment of WA to supporting and enhancing its science programs and facilities, which have grown significantly in recent years.

According to Head of School Dexter Morse, "It's an exciting time to be a student at Worcester Academy."

"These facilities strengthen what is already an exceptional science program," Mr. Morse said. "Now, along with great faculty and a challenging curriculum, we have state-of-the-art science labs.

"It is a remarkable statement about the value and the quality of the Worcester Academy experience, and is a measure of our commitment to provide the best possible education to our students as we prepare them for life," he said.

KINGSLEY TODAY
The most dramatic changes in Kingsley can be seen in the building's seven multipurpose, laboratory classrooms. Inside the labs, students learn at small group workstations, allowing for increased collaboration among students and teachers during experiments. There are new and improved storage spaces (for lab prep, chemicals, and equipment).  Ceiling-mounted projectors and smart boards are located in each of the rooms.  Finally, new safety features include approved updated sprinklers and ventilation.

"This is 21st century science teaching at its best," Mr. Morse said.

The renovation gives added support and strength to a vibrant Academy science program, which, while always excellent, is even better, he said.

Kingsley, built in 1897, was hailed as one of the country's finest educational science buildings at the time of its construction.

GEORGE I. ALDEN TRUST
The renovation of Kingsley Laboratories is part of a long-term plan to upgrade facilities at Worcester Academy. It was funded through a combination of institutional fundraising and philanthropy, including a $500,000 grant from the George I. Alden Trust.

While a formal fundraising campaign has not yet begun to address facility needs at Worcester Academy, an informal (or "quiet phase") fundraising process is currently underway to raise the needed monies for Kingsley and other projects.

Construction company for the Kingsley renovation was Consigli Construction. Ann Beha Architects of Boston provided architectural services.

WORCESTER ACADEMY
Worcester Academy is a co-ed day and boarding school for grades 6 to 12 and postgraduates.  Its urban setting, diverse community, and challenging curriculum provide students with a solid, real-world education.

WANT MORE INFORMATION? Contact Neil Isakson, director of external communications, at 508-754-5302 x135, or e-mail neil.isakson@worcesteracademy.org.