St. Margaret’s Episcopal School gathered together for a historic celebration on Thursday, as the school community joyfully looked ahead to the exciting future of its campus during the St. Margaret’s Commons Groundbreaking and Blessing. 

 

The ceremony was attended by the entire student body as well as professional community, parents and members of the Board of Trustees.

 

“This groundbreaking signifies a commitment to the future of our school and our highest priority to provide students with an education that will shape the hearts and minds for lives of learning, leadership and service,” Board of Trustees President Dana Sullivan said. 

 

The Groundbreaking and Blessing began with prayers and readings by the St. Margaret’s chaplains, followed by remarks by Mrs. Sullivan and Head of School Dr. Jeneen Graham. The Chaplains then offered blessings for the site, before students from the Early School, Lower School, Middle School and Upper School took shovels to the dirt, ceremoniously marking the start of a new era. Joining the students were division principals, school administrators, PTF leaders and Trustees.

 

Construction will now begin on the transformative 30,000-square-foot, two-story St. Margaret’s Commons, which will become the heartbeat of the school campus and unite the community in a space dedicated to community, well-being, athletics and nutrition. The St. Margaret’s Commons is on schedule to be completed in the fall of 2026, and will feature state-of-the-art fitness facilities, an expansive dining hall and kitchen with on-site chefs preparing meals throughout the day, and ample spaces for students and classes to gather and be together. 

 

The Groundbreaking and Blessing was a highly anticipated celebration after years of planning and collaboration, and school leaders acknowledged the many individuals and organizations whose hard work and generous support made the project a reality. You can learn more about the St. Margaret’s Commons and the Tartans Thrive capital campaign by visiting TartansThrive.org. 

 

“Today marks the beginning of the next chapter in the story of St. Margaret’s and we get to write that story,” Head of School Dr. Jeneen Graham said. “We get to build on what came before us and to envision the future for all of you and for Tartans to come. Knowing that beginning in the fall of 2026 we will be able to gather together in this beautiful, state-of-the-art St. Margaret’s Commons truly fills me with joy.”