As the school year gets underway, students and faculty are already benefiting from a summer's worth of improvements across all four Bolles campuses. From major renovations to thoughtful facility upgrades, our Operations and Grounds teams, along with our project partners, worked diligently behind the scenes to create welcoming, functional spaces that support teaching, learning and community.

On the Bolles Upper School San Jose Campus, Phase II of the Llura "Lulie" Liggett Gund ’58 Residence Hall for Girls project came to completion with the opening of Liggett Hall. This new space, located on the second floor of Bolles Hall, features 22 dorm rooms and Lulie Commons. Other capital projects completed last spring and summer include the Jerry and Bruce Chappell Fieldhouse and Chipper Jones Stadium and the McKenzie Wilson Softball Field. George H. Hodges Field is also sporting a new look with the installation of upgraded turf this summer, and the Baker-Gate Petroleum Company Track will be upgraded this winter.

The Canteen, a student-favorite lunch and social spot on the San Jose Campus, was completely renovated as well – resulting in a modern space with upgraded food and service capabilities and the launch of Champ’s Burgers and an enhanced sandwich and wrap station called Melt’d. The Operations team also created an additional classroom in Ulmer Hall and new walkways between the Stein Fine Arts Center, McGehee Auditorium and Bolles Hall leading up to the Frank R. Sanchez & Hope and Dana E. Fender Center for Innovation.

Over at the Bolles Middle School Bartram Campus, the beloved Snack Island was completely reimagined, with the removal of the climbing structure and addition of pavers, shaded seating areas and lush landscaping. The Pratt Dining Hall kitchen and outside basketball courts were also renovated, and a former dorm apartment was converted to a classroom.

On the Bolles Ponte Vedra Beach Campus, a new Welcome Center was built in the main parking lot, where all visitors now sign in with the security guard on duty before walking through campus. Furniture was also replaced in Pre-K and Kindergarten classrooms, marking the first year of a multi-year furniture replacement plan. Next year, the campus will continue with additional grade levels as the team works to update classroom furniture for all students over the course of the next three years.

At the Bolles Lower School Whitehurst Campus, the Kindergarten, Grade 1 and Grade 2 porches were updated with new columns and railings, and new enclosures for the HVAC units around the playground were installed. Interior renovations for the Grade 1 and Grade 2 classrooms have also made room for additional instructional space. The Whitehurst Campus is in its third year of updating classroom furniture, focusing on the pieces in the Kindergarten and Grade 2 classrooms this year. Next year, Grade 4 and the Copeland Library will receive new student seating and task/storage tables for the Innovation Lab.

All these enhancements serve as a visible reminder of Bolles’ investment in the student experience. Thank you to the Operations, Grounds and Advancement teams whose dedication and expertise helped ensure our campuses were ready to welcome students back!