St. Stephen’s Episcopal Day School officially opened our Arts and Innovation Center with two community celebrations. The facility was planned and built in response to our 2016 Strategic Plan vision: In 2021, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Day School will be a global model in innovative learning and inclusivity, connecting diverse people and ideas. A committee of faculty members worked with architects from Perkins+Will to design a world-class educational environment that allows students to experience the arts, sciences, mathematics, and engineering activities in flexible spaces that offer outdoor/indoor integration and informal learning areas.
On September 10, we were honored to have the Right Reverend Peter Eaton, Bishop of the Diocese of Southeast Florida, join us for the blessing of the building and ribbon-cutting ceremony. Our Rector, Pastor Wilifred Allen-Faiella, led us in prayer, and Silvia Larrauri, Head of School, thanked our community for their contributions to making this new center of innovative teaching and learning into a reality. Our Grade 5 students sang Good, Good Father under the direction of Danny Eguizabal, Director of Performing Arts.
On October 2, we hosted Thank You parties for our donor families. Small groups were led through the building, where they were able to see firsthand how students can flow from space to space. By eliminating traditional classroom boundaries, we expand opportunities for creative, hands-on strategic thinking.
We are excited about our future as we continue to develop educational programs that build on creativity, problem-solving, critical thinking, passion, and leadership via a culture of innovation. Our Arts and Innovation Center will contribute to the richness and relevance of each student’s journey through innovative practices, unveiling the genius within each child.