MKA Announces Next Stage in Middle School Renovations

On Saturday, November 12, the MKA Board of Trustees approved the next stage in plans to completely renovate the Penick Center at the Middle School, work that will result in a transformed Dining Hall and a new Common Room.

Improvements to the Middle School Dining Hall will include a new kitchen, a greatly expanded serving area, and an addition for increased seating.  Design elements in the dining area include banquette, booth and table seating and the selection of furniture that can be rearranged and stored with ease to make the space a versatile, attractive and welcoming venue for meals, receptions, small concerts and Middle School social events.

Adjacent to the Middle School Dining Hall, a new meeting space will be created - the James and Louise Higgins Common Room.  This facility will serve as a meeting space for faculty, Trustees, and parent volunteers, as well as a flexible teaching and presentation space for Middle School classes.

Like the Middle School Auditorium and Lobby, the Dining Hall and Common Room will be funded entirely by donations. To date, MKA has received pledge commitments of $2.7 million for these projects, and over $11 million in annual, capital and endowment gifts over the past few years. These gifts include three anonymous commitments each of $1 million dollars or more, and multiple gifts of $500,000, $250,000 and $100,000.  Such generous donations, in support of MKA's ambitious Strategic Plan to raise endowment and improve campus facilities to enhance teaching and learning, have made it possible for MKA to make immediate improvements to the school, benefiting current as well as future students.