Student input instrumental in major renovations slated at Sewickley Academy's Senior School

Sewickley Academy freshman Jack Christ has something to look forward to when he returns to campus this fall: a newly remodeled school building.

The private academy announced this year news of a major renovation of the interior of the Senior School that houses 230 students in grades nine through 12.

State-of-the-art upgrades with an emphasis on providing a collegiate-ready learning environment are included in the plans.

“The study pods in the hallways — that’s something a lot of students are really excited about — everyone loves their peace and quiet,” said Christ of Edgeworth. “We’re really excited for a change. It’s great to have a switch-up, and it’s exciting to see it getting a revamp.”

Renovations are set to begin in May and be completed in time for the fall term.

“This was a surprise. The senior school is already a great place, but this is really wonderful to see. It’s been great to be able to work on the discussions on what’s going to happen in the school,” Christ said.

The Senior School exterior will remain the same.

Sofia DiCicco, a junior serving in student government, said she’s happy to see the walls go from blue to Sewickley Academy red, one of the school’s colors.

“It’s a really good idea, and the study pods will be like what they have on college campuses,” DiCicco said. “When I study now, I typically go to the library, but that’s a different building.”

DiCicco noted the students want to keep the “commons” area, a social hub inside the senior school, and students have expressed a keen interest in a possible faux tree component that would be located in a central part of the commons area, complete with seating.

“A change will be really nice, and it will look nice and be fun,” DiCicco said.

Courtesy of Sewickley Academy

Rendering of renovation plans for the Senior School at Sewickley Academy.

The Senior School was built in the 1960s, said Jim Miller, director of building and grounds.

“It was expanded three times during the mid-1980s and last updated in 1999,” Miller said.

Miller and Dave DeNardo, chief financial and operations officer, are spearheading the project, which is funded from a multitude of sources and expected to cost less than $15 million.

“It’s the largest capital investment on campus since 2017,” DeNardo said, “and fundraising is ongoing.”

When renovations are complete, benefits will include reconfigured classrooms, enhanced student and group collaboration spaces, first-class safety and security features, updated facility and administrative offices, expanded use of natural light throughout the building and updated educational technology.

The 25,000-square-foot building will be renovated to include 19 classrooms, a flexible testing room and faculty lounge.

Landon Disheart, a senior member of student government, won’t get the opportunity to roam the halls as a student this fall, but he is providing valuable input in the planning of the renovations.

“I got to see the plans and was asked to be a part of the planning,” Disheart said. “Sewickley Academy is a college preparatory school, so they’re going to renovate the Senior School in a way that correlates in a way for representing college — with class study rooms with a lecture style — and it’s going to be really great. My message for the returning students is they’re really going to like it, and it’s going to be really special. It’s going to bring our senior school into the modern times.”

School administrators made student collaboration a priority for the project.

Students in grades eight through 12 will be given the opportunity to complete an online survey to chime in on their preferences on remodeling designs and furniture.

Ashley Birtwell, Sewickley Academy’s head of school, described the project as an “incredibly exciting transformation.”

“We take pride in the fact that this process has been a collaborative effort among our entire community, with a shared goal of creating a more welcoming, collegiate environment for our students,” Birtwell said. “I’m grateful for the support that we have received to make this project a reality.”

The project architect is Kimmel Bogrette of Blue Bell, and the contractor is PJ Dick, one of the largest construction firms in the mid-Atlantic region.

Key renovation points include equipping each classroom with smart boards, all the technology a faculty member would need to teach in the modern era and a design that provides ample natural light.

“We want every classroom to be as light, bright and open as we can because it makes for a much more engaging atmosphere for our students to learn,” said Heather Hoffman, director of enrollment management and strategic communications.

Courtesy of Sewickley Academy

This rendering depicts an updated classroom in the Senior School. The entire Senior School is set to undergo renovations this summer.

Hoffman elaborated on the modern design elements planned for the project.

“It will be very clean, chic, very modern, and it will be very high-tech and student-centric,” Hoffman said. “We’re really listening to what our students want and need, and we’re trying to make sure we escalate our Senior School to be exactly that. We are a college preparatory school, and we want to stay current with what is happening around us.”

The biggest obstacle is the aggressive timeline, but DeNardo noted because no changes are being made externally, the interior renovations are expected to be completed on schedule.

The Senior School has 20 dedicated faculty members.

The project won’t affect current tuition rates.

“Everybody’s just excited about the investment and change. It’s what our faculty and students deserve,” DeNardo said.

Furniture vendors visited the campus April 24 to showcase different spaces.

The commons area’s biggest change will be the removal of several cinder block walls to allow for more light.

The floors will be updated with luxury vinyl tile or carpet, depending on the space.

A public open house showcasing the new Senior School is planned for the fall.