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By Jane Knoerle
Almanac Lifestyles Editor
Founded in the 19th century, Sacred Heart Schools will offer 21st century teaching and learning for its Lower and Middle Schools students in new state-of-the-art buildings to be completed in August 2012.
In June the venerable Atherton institution will begin demolition of its existing Lower and Middle Schools campus to construct four new buildings, which will surround a large green courtyard.
The new campus will be built to LEED-Silver environmental standards, said spokesperson Millie Lee.
The Lower and Middle Schools campus will double in size to 89,000 square feet. There will be more than 25 classrooms, along with science lab rooms. The 23,000-square-foot fine arts center will have seating for 650 people and soundproof rooms for band, chorus, music and drama.
At 6,500 square feet, the new library will triple the size of the existing library, and will be built to "net zero" environmental standards for electric and water, Ms. Lee said.
The buildings will feature natural lighting and ventilation, and will use renewable and recycled materials and water-efficient landscaping, she said.
WRNS Studio of San Francisco is the architect for the project. Herrero Construction of San Francisco is general contractor, and Rockridge Group of San Francisco will serve as project manager.
The existing buildings, which now house grades 1 through 8, were constructed in the 1950s. Sacred Heart began discussing the need to replace the buildings with the town of Atherton in 2007. At that time the Lower School (grades 1 through 5) and the Middle School (grades 6 through 8) were called St. Joseph's School of the Sacred Heart.
Together with the high school (grades 9 through 12), Sacred Heart Schools has an enrollment of 1,123. There are no plans to increase enrollment because of the new campus, according to Ms. Lee.
Richard A. Dioli is director of schools, Anne Holloway is chairman of the board of trustees, and Sandy Dubinsky is chief operating officer.
Capital campaign fund
The new campus is made possible through funds raised by the school's current capital campaign, launched in 2008. With a goal of raising $95 million, it is the largest capital campaign that Sacred Heart Schools in Atherton has embarked on in its 113-year history, Ms. Lee said.
Among capital campaign achievements to date are: construction of the Michael J. Homer Science and Student Life Center; new athletic fields with all-weather turf; and refurbishment of the Aquatic Center.
Groundbreaking celebration
The Rev. George H. Niederauer, archbishop of the San Francisco Archdiocese, will attend the groundbreaking ceremonies to be held at 11 a.m. Sunday, May 15, on the Sacred Heart campus. There will be a community Mass by the Rev. David Ghiorso and site blessing by the archbishop.
A celebration on the football field will include a barbecue lunch, live music, games and activities for all family members.
Comments
Atherton: Lindenwood
on Apr 22, 2011 at 2:18 pm
on Apr 22, 2011 at 2:18 pm
Wow! Our local school districts are struggling to make ends meet and Sacred Heart is investing nearly $100 million in a new campus.
Registered user
Atherton: Lindenwood
on Apr 22, 2011 at 2:54 pm
Registered user
on Apr 22, 2011 at 2:54 pm
n the private sector being able to raise this kind of money is the direct result of providing a great product and having a lot of satisfied customers. It also help if your competition isn't as good as you are.
Congratulations Sacred Heart Schools
Atherton: Lindenwood
on Apr 22, 2011 at 3:29 pm
on Apr 22, 2011 at 3:29 pm
Good Point.
I've heard that even Menlo School had difficulty raising funds for their capital campaign.
Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park
on Apr 23, 2011 at 3:33 pm
on Apr 23, 2011 at 3:33 pm
Peter, What "competition" are you referring to that is not as good as Sacred Heart?
Registered user
Atherton: Lindenwood
on Apr 23, 2011 at 3:47 pm
Registered user
on Apr 23, 2011 at 3:47 pm
In the private sector being able to raise this kind of money is the direct result of providing a great product and having a lot of satisfied customers. It also help if your competition isn't as good as you are.
My comment was about the private sector and I made no reference in my comment as to who is Sacred Heart's competition. However, is any other local school that is capable of raising $100 million?
Menlo Park: University Heights
on Apr 23, 2011 at 9:09 pm
on Apr 23, 2011 at 9:09 pm
Really Peter? Are you that naive? The uber wealthy send their kids to private school around here for two primary reasons ... 1) the Atherton families in RWC school district don't want to send their kids to RWC schools and 2) they don't want their kids to go to Sequoia or M-A and mix with the kids from across town. On top of that, their kids have a better chance of making the sports teams in a private school. However, in reality, the public schools around here DO offer a better product. Have you looked at the test scores? The public schools in this area are the best in the state. Also, I have two kids in Las Lomitas School District. Kids who transfer to our school district from St. Joe's are routinely BEHIND in terms of the curriculum and often have to get extra help to keep up or catch up. Don't be so simplistic. Wealthy people will also donate money to have a building named after themselves.
On top of that, it's a PRIVATE school, so they have no choice but to raise their own funds. Public schools have to issue bonds. In case you don't remember, our constitution provides for a free education for all citizens!
Atherton: Lindenwood
on Apr 23, 2011 at 9:42 pm
on Apr 23, 2011 at 9:42 pm
Really states:"our constitution provides for a free education for all citizens!
Really?? Please give the Article and Section granting that right. The word education does not even appear in either the U.S. Constitution or the Bill of Rights.
Woodside: other
on Apr 23, 2011 at 11:46 pm
on Apr 23, 2011 at 11:46 pm
Really? -
There is nothing in the Constitutional about education, at least not in the United States Constitution. That was a major swing-and-a-miss... sorry!
Portola Valley: Ladera
on Apr 24, 2011 at 9:56 am
on Apr 24, 2011 at 9:56 am
Peter, you still have not answered the original question posed by Local Parent. What competition do you refer to when you say Sacred Heart is better? If you are comparing public versus private, it's not an apples to apples comparison as it pertains to funding. If you are comparing private versus private, I am interested to hear your commentary on the other private schools.
I agree with Really? outside of the constitution issue. Our public schools provide excellent education to all its district residents despite budget challenges. And one of my favorite benefits: our kids who go to public schools are far better prepared for the real world of ethnic and economic diversity than the insulated private school students.
Menlo Park: other
on Apr 24, 2011 at 10:08 am
on Apr 24, 2011 at 10:08 am
It is so frustrating reading news reporting these days. And it's not just in this organization; I see it in all the news services I read these days. Stories lack a lot of basic information and are rife with typos. Are writers trained in journalism style anymore? Are there any copy editors working for news services anymore? The example in this story is that nowhere does it say where the current students will be housed while construction is underway. Will construction work around the existing buildings? Will the students be moved to temporary buildings? In general, what is the disruption factor to the students?
Woodside: other
on Apr 24, 2011 at 10:23 am
on Apr 24, 2011 at 10:23 am
Las Lomitas District parent -
I don't think the point of this thread is a private versus public school debate (who's better, who's more successful, etc.).
Yes, SOME public schools in our area do a good job and your comments are not unexpected from someone writing from the comfort of the Las Lomitas School District where students are children of well educated, affluent parents who value education. It is not unlike our Woodside School District... or most of our private schools for that matter.
So before we get too far congratulating ourselves for our wonderful public schools, we should remember that MANY of our public schools, especially at the high school level, have shocking drop-out rates and deplorable college admission rates. Not all of our public schools have the advantages of wealth, strong foundations and parent groups providing extra financial support and engaged parents.
Woodside: other
on Apr 24, 2011 at 10:26 am
on Apr 24, 2011 at 10:26 am
Missing good writing & editing -
I'm not sure I've ever seen a better example of the pot calling the kettle black.
Nicely done.
Atherton: other
on Apr 24, 2011 at 1:32 pm
on Apr 24, 2011 at 1:32 pm
To Missing:
Most of the existing Lower and Middle School Buildings (that part of the school formerly known as St. Joseph's) will remain standing during the construction, which will take place primarily on the "interior" of the campus. As construction progresses and the new buildings are completed, students will move into the new buildings and the older buildings will be demolished. The perimeter of the campus along Emilie and Park will be athletic fields post construction.
To Really:
There may have been a point in time when the old St. Joseph's curriculum was behind the local public schools, but that certainly has not been the case in the last 3 years! More than half of the graduating 8th graders enter high school enrolled in Geometry Honors or Algebra II Trig Honor, with the remaining students enrolling in Geometry. Those are routinely sophomore and junior level classes at many high schools! Not exactly indicative of a sub-par curriculum. Also keep in mind that for the last 3 years, students who are unable to keep up with the more rigorous coursework at the middle school are transitioned out of the school prior to 6th grade.
Sacred Heart Schools consistently has substantially more applicants than available spots for students and many, many families are turned away each year. If the curriculum were lacking, this would not be the case. I encourage you to visit the "NEW" Sacred Heart Schools and you will quickly learn that the educational standards far exceed those in the local public environment!
Atherton: Lindenwood
on Apr 24, 2011 at 1:53 pm
on Apr 24, 2011 at 1:53 pm
anonymous asks:"Peter, you still have not answered the original question posed by Local Parent. What competition do you refer to when you say Sacred Heart is better?"
I did not say Sacred Heart is better - reread my post and my response:
"In the private sector being able to raise this kind of money is the direct result of providing a great product and having a lot of satisfied customers. It also help if your competition isn't as good as you are.
My comment was about the private sector and I made no reference in my comment as to who is Sacred Heart's competition. "
But, as POGO reminds me, I should learn to ignore some postings - particularly those that ask questions that have already been answered.
another community
on Apr 26, 2011 at 1:25 pm
on Apr 26, 2011 at 1:25 pm
Here is an update on the construction plan: Web Link
Portola Valley: Ladera
on Apr 26, 2011 at 4:00 pm
on Apr 26, 2011 at 4:00 pm
Peter, I (and I assume local parent) am referring to this line from your post:
"It also help if your competition isn't as good as you are."
Perhaps we should ask the question more generally to you: What do you mean by this sentence? I am genuinely curious.
Atherton: Lindenwood
on Apr 26, 2011 at 4:05 pm
on Apr 26, 2011 at 4:05 pm
"In the private sector being able to raise this kind of money is the direct result of providing a great product and having a lot of satisfied customers. It also help if your competition isn't as good as you are."
In the private sector it is very important, if you are trying to raise $100 million, that you have better products, have more satisfied customers and are better than your competition. Is that clear enough?
If you want to apply that to your school then feel free to do so - I didn't.
Atherton: other
on Apr 26, 2011 at 5:30 pm
on Apr 26, 2011 at 5:30 pm
Las Lomitas, What Peter is saying is that Sacred Heart is a better school than others in the area. The "products" are the teachers, administrators, the programs and curriculum. The "customers" are the parents. The "competition" are the other surrounding schools. I guess he means both public and private. It's an odd way to phrase it, but that''s what he means.
Atherton: Lindenwood
on Apr 26, 2011 at 5:39 pm
on Apr 26, 2011 at 5:39 pm
The 'products' of a school are NOT the teachers, administrators, the programs and curriculum any more than the products of a manufacturing company are its machinery and its staff - the products are educated students.
I leave it to satisfied and not so satisfied customers to judge the relative quality of local schools and their 'product'.
Atherton: other
on Apr 26, 2011 at 5:42 pm
on Apr 26, 2011 at 5:42 pm
Then you need to rephrase your statement. It is obviously very unclear to others. I read it as I interpreted it. Maybe you should be a little better in explanations and not try to compare schools to industries.
Atherton: Lindenwood
on Apr 26, 2011 at 5:48 pm
on Apr 26, 2011 at 5:48 pm
Parent - I cannot be responsible for the way that you interpret what others say or that you continue to try to bait me. Sorry, but your bait is not very attractive.
Maybe you should be a little better in explaining why my statement makes you feel so uncomfortable. Is there something about the private sector that you don't like? Or the concept of competition?
Atherton: other
on Apr 26, 2011 at 5:51 pm
on Apr 26, 2011 at 5:51 pm
I love the private sector. My kids go to private schools!
Atherton: Lindenwood
on Apr 26, 2011 at 5:55 pm
on Apr 26, 2011 at 5:55 pm
Parents - We agree - I, too, love the private sector. And competition which leads to better products.
However, my son went to local public schools.
Atherton: other
on Apr 26, 2011 at 5:58 pm
on Apr 26, 2011 at 5:58 pm
"Bait you?" Never! Just clarifying your confusing statements as asked by Las Lomitas Parent. :)
Portola Valley: Ladera
on Apr 27, 2011 at 2:42 pm
on Apr 27, 2011 at 2:42 pm
I thought I asked a straightforward question. Apparently I and others are too uncomfortable with the statement and therefore not entitled to a straight answer -- only generalities and analogies.
Atherton: Lindenwood
on Apr 27, 2011 at 2:48 pm
on Apr 27, 2011 at 2:48 pm
LLDP - I am not responsible for your inability to read and understand my four times repeated straightforward answer. Perhaps because you are uncomfortable with something to do with the quality of the local schools you want me to change my answer - which I have no intention of doing.
You continue to try to bait me to take a position on the relative quality of local schools. The market place already does that quite well.
Sorry, but your bait is not very attractive.
Atherton: Lindenwood
on Apr 27, 2011 at 2:54 pm
on Apr 27, 2011 at 2:54 pm
LLDP - Your turn. Please tell us how you would rank the relative quality of our local K-8 schools, public and private, and which metrics you used in making your rankings.
Registered user
Atherton: Lindenwood
on Apr 28, 2011 at 1:23 pm
Registered user
on Apr 28, 2011 at 1:23 pm
Las Lomitas District parent - Please tell us how you would rank the relative quality of our local K-8 schools, public and private, and which metrics you used in making your rankings.