St. Andrew’s School hosted a special Chapin Campaign Celebration on campus last week to honor the completion of its $9.1 million capital campaign. 

Guests included St. Andrew’s Board of Trustees, faculty and staff, students, and loyal supporters of the school.

The campaign raised $9,182,150 over the course of the past six years. With this funding, St. Andrew’s has made improvements to its existing historic buildings and new spaces. 

Facilities investments that were accomplished throughout the campaign: Athletics team room, Chapin Chapel renovations, Conklin Fitness Center renovations, employee housing, Little Sanctuary renovations, outdoor basketball court and recreational space, Owing Stone Academic Center renovations, Perry Hall renovations, technology upgrades across campus, White Family Commons, and Robert L. Wolf Squash Center with four state-of-the-art squash courts.

In addition to facilities improvements, St. Andrew’s endowment grew significantly, with donors supporting endowment funds already established and also creating nine new endowment funds. 

In 2018, St. Andrew’s visionary Board of Trustees embarked on a capital campaign effort to enhance campus facilities and build endowment resources. Even as the school weathered a pandemic, the community rallied to ensure that the school’s future remains bright and that the students have robust resources to empower them to discover their unique value and embrace their full potential.

Trustees Ben White ‘08 and John Harker co-chaired the campaign, working closely with Facilities Committee Chair Peter Holden and the St. Andrew’s Facilities Team. 

“For more than 132 years, students and faculty have lived, taught, and studied together in our shared community. Over time, our stunning campus and the way we educate our students has evolved. Innovative and intentional facilities improvements uphold our school’s traditions and support the modern, transformative educational experience of our students,” said Head of School David Tinagero.

At the celebration, students shared how some of the renovated spaces have enhanced their educational experience. 

In speaking of the Rooke Library improvements, Henry Denis ‘26 said, “As a student it’s great to see that our classrooms are being renovated so we can learn better.” 

Yosmel Amparo-Moya ‘26 shared, “My favorite place on campus is the Chapin Chapel. It allows for our community to have a safe space where we can be unapologetically ourselves.”

New fund

In Nov. 2023, the Board of Trustees approved the establishment of a special fund to address campus and facilities depreciation. It will help St. Andrew’s prepare for and manage the costs associated with maintaining the 80-acre campus and 31 historic and new buildings, allowing for better financial planning. This fund will help to maintain campus property value and ensure that necessary maintenance or replacements are carried out without significant financial burden or disruption to St. Andrew’s School.

This fund was started with $1.1 million and the Board’s goal is to grow it over time. If any donors are interested in learning more about this fund or how they can contribute to its growth, please contact Director of Advancement Kerrie Donahue at kdonahue@standrews-ri.org.