Cascia Hall Preparatory School: Talent Deserves Opportunity

The purpose of a Cascia Hall education is to

NOURISH AND SUSTAIN

our young women and men long after they have graduated.

Nevertheless, in the words of our father St. Augustine (d. 430 AD), we want to

ALWAYS MAKE PROGRESS and become what we are not yet.

Cascia Hall Community, After nearly two years of study and research, I’m pleased to announce that we have finalized a plan that will transform our academic program and enhance student life at Cascia Hall.

This project marks the most significant campus investment since we built the Performing Arts Center in October 2006.

Our plan calls for a $19.7 million facility targeting STEM education and student life that includes some much-needed upgrades and additions. Key features include: • • • • • • •

New learning spaces Laboratories with prep rooms Advanced level 2 science research laboratory A robotics shop and playing field A hub collaborative learning space A dedicated spirit store location Outdoor learning extension

• • • • • • •

Campus Ministry suite Renovated common spaces New kitchen and updated serving area Alumni Center Outdoor gathering plaza Renovated girls’ and boys’ locker rooms Renovated and enlarged Health and Wellness Center

Development of the mind, the body, and the soul is our goal at Cascia, and this new structure will address all three areas in keeping with our centuries-old Augustinian tradition of education. At the same time, this new facility will position Cascia Hall to meet the needs of a new generation of learner for the next 25 to 30 years.

Toward this end, I’m pleased to announce that we are embarking on the Talent Deserves Opportunity campaign to raise the necessary funds. I wish to express my deep appreciation to our chairs, Amy and Mike Westbrock; Honorary Chairs, Marge and John ’59 Gaberino; and our Board Chair, John Hastings ’01, for agreeing to serve in leadership roles for this campaign.

In these pages, you will find more information about the details of this project. I hope that what you find here will stir your hearts and minds to join us in this exciting new venture. Even as education has changed significantly, our mission remains constant: to inspire our young people to always seek the Truth in a community of Love.

May the Lord look with kindness upon us and grant us His blessing.

Peace,

Fr. Philip Cook, O.S.A., Ph.D. Headmaster

FOR NEARLY 100 YEARS Cascia Hall has been a powerful force in the education of more than 4,300 students.

At Cascia, our students are - and always have been at the center of our mission and endeavors.

We believe

TALENT deserves

OPPORTUNITY

We are renewing our commitment to pursue academic excellence with a comprehensive campaign to enhance our proven liberal arts education by providing a foundation that will empower our students to thrive in an increasingly complicated world.

Life today requires critical thinking, resilience, collaborative problem solving, and cultural competence.

The education we design will continue to empower our students to thrive and grow in mind, body, and spirit.

MIND

Two new classrooms, two advanced science labs, a level 2 science research lab, a robotics shop and playing field, and rooms for collaborative learning will grow the mind.

BODY New Dining Hall and renovated and enlarged Health and Wellness Center will facilitate a comprehensive approach to wellness.

SPIRIT

New common spaces and campus ministry offices for students, faculty, and alumni will enhance our common life together as well as our relationship with Almighty God.

Now is the time to

REIMAGINE

the space and facilities Cascia students need to

PURSUE LEARNING both individually and collaboratively.

THE NEED Cascia Hall is fortunate to have an excellent faculty, bright and highly motivated students, and supportive parents.

However, we are critically in need of additional learning and community building spaces.

Cascia students began using our science classrooms in 1981; these facilities are antiquated for today’s curriculum and learning styles.

Our robotics program currently shares space with a Middle School Spanish classroom, an Upper School biology classroom, and an Upper School chemistry lab classroom.

Our science research team relies on a converted closet to prepare their science fair presentations.

THE NEED Cascia students have created their own gathering spaces as they build community with one another.

They visit with each other in the corridors and in the entryways and with counselors and campus ministers in their basement offices.

As a Catholic school, our campus ministers should be at the very heart of student activity, not in their present basement location.

We need a well defined student common area for young people to enjoy growing together as a community including both peers and adults.

THE CHALLENGE For the last two years, the leaders of Cascia Hall have carefully and prayerfully examined how we can continue to offer our students an outstanding education in the Augustinian tradition.

&

Feedback from all members of our community identified two areas of pressing needs:

STEM EDUCATION (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)

STUDENT LIFE

THE VISION

Existing PAC

Transformational education requires us to integrate the boundaries among disciplines, to create a new vision informed by the old, and to be courageous in claiming our future.

With great enthusiasm we will continue to provide a unique, Augustinian education at Cascia Hall that prepares young women and men for future success both as individuals and as members of society.

School Entrance from Utica Ave Campus Parking Lot

Existing Upper School

Facing Faculty Parking & Monastery Courtyard

Basement Level

1

2 1

4 3

6

First Floor

5

BASEMENT AND FIRST FLOOR HIGHLIGHTS This renovation and expansion will allow our students to grow their minds, fuel their bodies, and nourish their spirits.

1

Renovated Locker Rooms - All students participating in outdoor sports will have access to a dedicated locker room.

2

Health and Wellness Center - The renovated and enlarged Health and Wellness Center will provide a place for all students to participate in physical exercise and conditioning as well as provide improved access to care in the new training room.

3

Campus Ministries Suite - Locating these offices in the center of student life will provide enhanced visibility and access for our students.

4

Renovated Upper School Gym Lobby - Students will have a welcoming and comfortable student commons area to foster community and strengthen our core value of Unity.

5

Renovated Dining Hall Servery and Kitchen - Students will choose from more varied meal options and have easier access to food with five or more stations offering a wider array of menus.

6

Robotics Shop and Playing Field - Students will have a proper place to build, store, test, and host robotic competitions and think tanks to facilitate collaboration.

SECOND FLOOR HIGHLIGHTS The traditional science classrooms used by students in the Tack Building were built in 1981.

Pedagogy has undergone significant changes since then and the science classrooms on the second floor of our new structure will offer students experiential, real life, active learning spaces.

The level 2 lab will allow our faculty to add more current and cutting-edge biology lab work in cells, DNA, and enzyme function.

Our faculty will have the resources to offer students real-world, current issue-based laboratory experiences.

This new lab is designed to anticipate the next 15-20 years of curriculum and science education changes and will make us the only Upper School in the state with a level 2 lab.

(LEVEL 2)

Second Floor

“The Cascia Hall science research program is so special.

Cascia students have the ability to research topics that other students aren’t even aware of; it is really special and motivating.”

Caitlin Nguyen Senior, Class of 2020 2019 Intel ISEF Presenter Microbiological Studies, Science Research President

THE COST The budget for this project is

$19.7 MM which includes a building maintenance endowment, construction contingency, and cost escalation.

“My experience with the Cascia Hall science research program has changed my life.

It has opened a lot of doors for me and I’m so excited for what’s next.”

Jackson Pool Senior, Class of 2020 Science Research Club President 2019 Intel ISEF Presenter Recognized for excellence in chemistry

by Arizona State University

HOW CAN I HELP? We are so glad you asked this question. Every Cascia student will benefit from at least one aspect of this project, and many will see several of their areas of interest enhanced and expanded.

There are at least three ways for each member of the Cascia community to be actively involved in this endeaver:

PRAY

SHARE

GIVE

Incorporate the campaign prayer

Enthusiastically invite your friends,

After careful consideration

(included in this brochure)

family, and colleagues to learn

and time spent in prayer,

in your daily conversation

about these plans to provide new

make your personal financial

with God.

and exciting opportunities for our

commitment to this project.

talented Cascia students.

( Pledge commitments may be paid over 5 years.)

You can transform Cascia Hall’s academic program and enhance the student life experience for each and every Cascia Hall student.

Thank you, Amy and Mike Westbrock Campaign Chairs and Parents of Megan ’19, Trent ’20, Tyler ’23, Tommy ’24, and Maddie ’26

TALENT deserves

OPPORTUNITY NOW is the time.