Construction Plans
We are Building!
It’s the talk of the town: On June 6, 2009, we broke ground on a Gold Level LEED-designed expansion and renovation of the school’s core academic facilities.
The complete plan includes five science classrooms for the upper school, three science classrooms for the middle school, a new college counseling center and a new junior forum. In all, 40% of the school will be new or completely refurbished, and the heating, cooling and electrical infrastructures will be upgraded. The expected total cost is $6.5 million.
To date, $3 million has been pledged or gifted by members of the Greenhills community who have stepped forward with their support, allowing the school to proceed with Phase 1 construction. By June 2010, we expect to occupy a new Junior Forum and College Counseling Center, three new academic classrooms, a new advanced biology lab with a gray-water reuse system and greenhouse, and a new freshman biology lab. As fundraising continues, and more people continue to step forward with financial support, we will complete the physics lab and progress through construction on the various components of the Master Plan until complete.
Read the Ann Arbor News’ coverage of the expansion project.
Ground Breaking Photo Gallery
What's the plan?
With Phase I construction, 10,000 sq. ft. will be added to the current footprint.
Architect's Renderings
How Did We Get Here?
The creation of the master plan was guided by the recommendations made in the 2004 Science Advisory Task Force’s report to the Board of Trustees. Chaired by Dr. Timothy R. Johnson, Chair of the U-M Medical School‘s Department of ObGyn, the Task Force worked side by side with Greenhills faculty in assessing the school’s overall science program. After their yearlong assessment, the task force’s recommendations included:
- further development of the department’s inter-disciplinary, inquiry-based curriculum and
- the expansion of current facilities to meet the National Science Teachers Association’s standards for science labs, classrooms, and storage.
Focus on Sustainability
Cutting-edge features of our LEED Gold Level-designed building will include:
- geo-exchange system
- greenhouse with a grey-water reuse system
- green roof (to be implemented over the next 20 years)
- photovoltaics
By installing these important features, we expect to see the following environmental impact:
- 33% reduction in peak electrical load
- 20% reduction in gas consumption
- 50% reduction in water purchases
- significant reduction in pollution (20% NOX, 15% CO2 100% CFCs)
- 40% reduction in storm-water runoff
In addition, our aging infrastructure (40-year-old boilers, antiquated air units, uninsulated roof system, etc.) will be renewed creating even more energy efficiency.
Making Our Award-Winning Science Program Even Stronger
The renovation of the school will further enhance our science program, which:
- won an Intel Award of Distinction in 2007
- has 100% of each graduating class taking four full years
- has 80% of senior girls graduating with biology, chemistry and physics on their records, compared to just 20% in 2002
- has wait lists for advanced biology and physics
- boasts four teachers who have won Science Teacher of the Year by the University of Michigan chapter of Sigma Xi. Martha Friedlander (1989), Tom Friedlander (1996), Ann Novak (2005), and Cathy Renaud (2008)
The science program also boasts a robust research internship program with the University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan University as well as an active Visiting Scientist program.
