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What will happen to students during construction? Will the current buildings be demolished? What will the new structure look like? Those were some of the questions brought up by parents of current Fuqua School students and community members earlier this week. Back on Aug. 22, Fuqua Head of School Chance Reynolds announced plans to build a new Upper School on campus, a project, he pointed out, already partly funded with $2.5 million in private donations. The goal is to raise another $3.5 million over the next three years. 

We reached out to school officials after fielding several questions and Reynolds answered them all, explaining what the plans were for both students and the current facilities. 

Let’s talk about those current facilities first. Several alumni of the school reached out to ask if they would still be standing on the property after the new school’s construction. The answer to that is no. 

“Once our students have been successfully relocated to the new Upper School building, the existing older buildings are scheduled for demolition,” Reynolds said. “This decision was made after careful consideration of several factors, including the age and condition of the current structures, their ability to meet modern educational standards and the need for space that supports our evolving academic programs.” 

Reynolds said he understood the buildings hold some sentimental value for alumni and community members, but the new Upper School will be a better fit. 

“The new facility is designed to better serve the current and future needs of our students, providing state-of-the-art classrooms, enhanced technological infrastructure and spaces that foster collaboration and innovation,” Reynolds said. 

Where will it be built? 

As the current structures won’t be torn down until after the new facility is built, some residents wanted to know where it will be going up on campus. Reynolds said it’ll be built on a section of campus adjacent to the Gee-Price Building.
“This location was chosen to allow for minimal disruption to daily school operations and to ensure that our students’ education remains uninterrupted,” Reynolds said. 

That way, instead of having to move students around or relocate them during the construction, their classes can just go on as normal. The hope will be then for a seamless transition once the new facility is built, simply walking from one building to another. 

And as for the size and scope of the building, Reynolds said it was important to staff that everything remain on one level.
“The new Upper School is planned as a one-level facility, designed with accessibility and ease of navigation in mind,” Reynolds said. “This decision aligns with our commitment to creating an inclusive environment where all students, faculty and visitors can move freely and comfortably throughout the space. 

What happens next for Fuqua School? 

Still have questions? Or do you want to get a look at the blueprints? An information session will take place next week. That’ll be held on Friday, Sept. 6 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in Gilmer Gym on the Fuqua campus. If that date seems familiar to Fuqua students and staff, it’s because the information session immediately precedes the first home football game of the year, which will be against Greenbrier Christian.