Marianapolis Vision for the Future

Vision for the Future In collaboration with its constituents, Marianapolis is committed

to preparing for the years that lie ahead. Ensuring that the right people, ideology, and infrastructure are in place, Marianapolis aims to secure the traditions and values of the community for generations.

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What future do you see for Marianapolis?

elements that simply must extend into future construction.”

It is the question from which consideration of the school’s future began. A Strategic Visioning Group that included faculty, board members, alumni, and parents convened to discuss the outlook for the decades ahead of Marianapolis.

The architects also explored constraints posed by the current campus setup. Members of JCJ visited Thompson on multiple occasions, walking throughout the property to better understand the day-to-day needs of the population.

From their collaboration came affirmations of the values that make the community unique and dynamic. Considered, too, were the obstacles that may challenge the institution as growth and transformation continue. Ultimately, the SVG was able to articulate a vision for the evolution of the school and to map the direction of the institution’s future.

“Some of the necessary changes were apparent even on the walkthrough,” noted Hanrahan. “It was not long, for example, before the team recognized the potential conflicts for vehicle or pedestrian traffic. Their design takes into account an improved and thoughtful flow for the student heading back to the dorm or the first-time visitor making their way to the athletic center.”

The next step was to imagine the campus layout that will help the school meet its potential. Marianapolis partnered with JCJ Architecture, a company with over 75 years of experience in the business. JCJ representatives met with individuals and groups to inquire about community life. Their goal was not only to help achieve the vision articulated by the SVG, but also to retain or replicate elements of the Marianapolis campus that are integral to school identity.

With all of the perspectives and plans in mind, the team worked to produce renderings of the Marianapolis campus as it will appear in the coming years.

One substantial new feature of the design was the addition of an Art & Student Activities Center. This building will serve the dual purposes of expanding educational space for visual and performing arts, while also offering day and boarding students the room to convene and connect.

“Tradition is a vital aspect of the culture here,” explained Head of School Joe Hanrahan. “It informs everything we do – from the smallest detail in the schedule to the largest building we design. The dialogue among members of our community and the architects at JCJ fostered a universal appreciation for those

“Space for student interfacing will continue to expand,” shared Hanrahan. “Whether it’s formally in a club meeting or informally over a slice of pizza, that time together is P

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The current layout of the Marianapolis campus from above Property owned by the Marians of the Immaculate Conception Property owned by third parties

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The proposed campus zones for development include academic, athletic, and residential areas. “Clustering� campus regions by focus will maximize collaboration among members of the community.

Increased attention to vehicular and pedestrian traffic will prioritize efficient and safe campus travel.

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The proposed academic zone

the future site for art and student activities adjacent to each.

what prepares our students for a lifetime of creativity and collaboration.”

Explained Tata, “Academic ‘clustering’ supports our professional staff and therefore provides a better education overall. It allows for the ongoing mentoring, communication, and collegiality that is vital to a healthy and efficient work environment. With ease, faculty can observe teaching methods, share ideas, ask for assistance, and mentor new teachers daily.”

A heightened focus on the arts was also crucial, explained Assistant Head of School Karen Tata. In studying the arts, “cooperation, critical thinking, and problem-solving are explored in a unique, multi-modal fashion.”

The new space will allow for diversification of human and curricular resources. Tata continued, “Our art faculty will expand, and increased professional staff means an increase in offerings. Additional talented teachers will help create a more varied program – individual lessons, graphic arts, advanced sections, and beyond.”

Current students maximize art resources

Clustering within the new campus zones goes beyond academic benefits. The proposed residential zone is designed as a village of small, home-style residences to mirror the existing girls’ dormitories.

The current primary boys’ dorm, St. John’s Hall, holds 90 students. The building is divided into four hallways with separate attributes, student leaders, and faculty residents.

Additions to the new residential village will redistribute students among three separate buildings.

The expansion of resources was not exclusively about adding. Architects were careful to examine the existing physical relationship among buildings, and placed

“A housing cluster will visually emphasize the diversity of our residential population – a break from the monolithic image of P

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The proposed residential zone

used by Marianapolis students and faculty. This thoughtful re-envisioning of the landscape was mirrored in the design for the athletic and extra-curricular zones.

St. John’s,” noted Dean of Students David DiCicco.

In the abstract, the village will foster a greater sense of dorm identity and belonging as well as upgrade the quality of residential resources. DiCicco explained, “The size and layout will serve to reinforce the ‘family’ feel of the residential experience. The scale will support strong relationships forming between the residents and faculty and emphasize the connection for both groups to the house as a whole.”

Fields at the northern end of campus remain in use (among them: baseball, softball, and a multi-purpose grass field).

Marianapolis tennis facilities double; the three courts at the heart of campus will abut three new courts.

The most significant expansion, however, will occur at the southern part of campus. Improvements will be made to the land beyond the field house. Taking advantage of untouched acreage, the design included a track and turf field as well as sport-specific fields.

In particular, this model will increase faculty oversight and involvement: the village will provide nine staff residences versus the four currently offered in St. John’s. The change will make a direct impact on the quality of life for all. “Home-style housing, by its very design, highlights for residents the impact of decision making on self and others; it fosters opportunities to share space, conversations, and life together in a way that is organic,” said DiCicco. “This village will provide a powerful space for individuals to grow together and share in the Marianapolis mission.”

“Soccer and lacrosse games could be played in the rain or at night,” Athletic Director Eric Gustavson shared. “And our growing programs will have dedicated practice space at the JV and IIIs levels.”

A new field house (connecting to the existing athletic facility) will also dramatically increase space and offerings. “Our volleyball and basketball teams could hold full-court practices

Beyond the new construction, the plan created an easily accessible outdoor area that will expand the common spaces

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at the same time,” explained Gustavson, “instead of holding half-court practices side by side, or finishing practice at 9:30 at night.”

Chairman Dan Atwood noted, “Our campus is an important part of our identity. We need to be thoughtful about our physical development strategies. We must be good stewards of the beautiful green spaces that define our campus. We must set high standards in our design efforts, just as in all aspects of our school life.”

With the exhaustive efforts of community representatives and the JCJ team, the plan was developed to match the vision for Marianapolis’ future; its implementation will require additional focus, determination and support.

While directing resources to support existing programs was a A track at home would give Marianapolis a considerable edge over the competition top priority, discussion continued as to what new activities might be added as well.

“It is important that we honor the process and stick with the plan in the years ahead,” explained Atwood. “A well-conceived and executed campus plan will stand the test of time in helping to reinforce who we are and who we aspire to be as a school community, both now and for future generations.”

“Bringing in field hockey or squash...it’s all possible with this new design,” Gustavson noted. “And it’s not just competitive sports that will improve. We could expand the training room and staff, and add a larger weight & fitness room. It will have an impact on every student at Marianapolis.”

Added Head of School Hanrahan, “From academics to residential and extra-curricular life, Marianapolis has a bright future. This plan helps us remain purposeful in our growth and development as a leader in private Catholic education.”

The intentional design for the campus’ future will impact the Marianapolis community for generations. Board of Directors

The proposed athletics zone

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