Dear Greene Towne family,

We are writing to share with you a major milestone in Greene Towne’s history, present and future. 

As you know, our Board of Trustees and its Real Estate Task Force have been seeking a location for the classrooms and offices that were displaced in the flooding from Hurricane Ida. We held very specific criteria, including convenience for our current families, faculty and staff, outdoor playspace, and the ability to be designed and renovated for our needs and ready by September 2022.

We are thrilled to share that we have finalized plans to occupy three floors plus an expansive roof deck at 2140 Arch Street, located across the street from our East Campus at 2121 Arch Street. 

The building, which was formerly the Science Leadership Academy, has big beautiful windows on all three floors and is a blank canvas that will be thoughtfully, specifically and strategically designed for Greene Towne. All of the classrooms and offices that are currently operating in the former Hallahan High School will be relocated to the new space in time for our opening of the 2022-23 school year.

This is important news in and of itself, but there is more to share. The total space of just under 30,000 square feet will also allow Greene Towne to come together as one unified campus within two years. For at least the 2022-23 school year, we expect the Primary classrooms that are currently located at our East Campus will remain in that building.

This move is a major step forward and an investment in GTMS’s future and toward growth and new possibilities. With our new space, we will build on the commitment and dedication of our founding families, inspired leaders and Montessori educators over our long history. 

Our school community has been researching sites with the goal of unifying our two campuses for several years. Being all together under one roof will bring enormous benefits, both in terms of a strong and connected community, as well as efficiencies of operations and convenience for all of our families. Furthermore, the space allows for us to have the ability to expand our programs in the future. 

The new location will have space for all of our classrooms, as well as ample space for Movement, Art, Music, a professional kitchen, and meeting and gathering spaces. The rooftop deck is large enough for multiple playscapes, specifically designed for our younger and older students. We have signed a lease that gives Greene Towne the option to remain in the building for up to 20 years, making it an important capital investment for our future. 

What about our home at 2121 Arch Street? Our Board of Trustees is carefully exploring options for this building that is so much a part of our identity and history as a school. The building represents the strength of our community, its growth over the past 20 years, and the growth and success of thousands of children. As we enter into a new cycle of strategic planning, we are well-poised to analyze our financial and programmatic plans.  

As we plan for this next move, it’s important to emphasize that we will be moving through this transition together. Throughout the spring and summer, there will be opportunities for every member of our community to follow our progress, provide important input into our plans, and offer the opportunity to provide critical support for this journey. 

We know from experience that Greene Towne stays strong through every kind of challenge and multiple site relocations over its 55-year history. We create a home wherever we are: it is the teachers, the children and the Montessori method that make us Greene Towne Montessori, and together, we will create the strongest Greene Towne yet.

You will hear more from us very soon, including further updates as information becomes available. 

With excitement for all that is to come,

Sarah Sweeney-Denham, Head of School

Dan Rainer, President, Board of Trustees