Soar with the Stars: Act II
IN 1962, a determined group of like-minded parents established an independent school in Brookfield, Wisconsin. Guided since its inception by the ideals of the Five Stars—Heritage, Truth, Individuality, Intellect, and Character—The Academy of Basic Education, later Brookfield Academy, opened with 33 students and six dedicated teachers. Today, with a 125-acre campus, 870 students, and six academic buildings, Brookfield Academy has grown from its humble beginnings to become one the finest independent schools in the United States.
Over the years as the school has grown, Brookfield Academy has responsibly added to the original facility. In 2005, Brookfield Academy launched an ambitious building project, Soar With the Stars, A Stellar Opportunity, a capital campaign to build a new Upper School. The original design included an academic wing, library, field house, theater, and auxiliary gym. Given the size and cost of the new building, the Board of Directors at that time decided to delay construction of the theater and auxiliary gym for a later phase.
Patriots Hall opened in 2010, ushering in a period of sustained student growth across all divisions. As enrollment increased, most levels have reached or exceeded the maximum planned class sizes throughout the facility. In addition, despite the absence of adequate performance space, the theater, choral, and instrumental music programs across all levels experienced significant growth. Further, the Academy’s commitment to providing high quality physical education and a first-class athletic program has taxed available gym space and forced students and families to access the spaces at inconvenient times or forego desired and appropriate use.
To address these realities, the Board of Directors is proud to announce
Soar with the Stars: Act II,
a capital campaign that will complete the original vision.
a capital campaign that will complete the original vision.
The campaign will address the following needs:
- A performance venue, rehearsal space, and a tech area at Patriots Hall to support performances, special events, guest speakers, assemblies, and other gatherings.
- Additional classrooms at Patriots Hall, including a new state-of-the-art science lab and an additional academic classroom.
- A new gym appropriate for Lower School students, additional classrooms, a new lunchroom, and an expanded playground, all to support the consolidation of Levels 1–5 in Constitution Hall.
- The renovation of Liberty Hall to create an age-appropriate facility to house the Little Knights, Level A, and Level B students.
VENUE FOR ARTS AND ACADEMICS
The Venue for Arts and Academics will be an innovative 6,500-square-foot, versatile performance space designed specifically to support Brookfield Academy’s Mission. Home to many all-school arts and educational programs, it will also provide a welcoming space for community gatherings and inspire students to become creators, visionaries, and dreamers prepared to meet the needs of our time.
With plans for state-of-the-art acoustics, lighting, technology, and innovative retractable design, the Venue for Arts and Academics will provide space for assemblies, academic competitions, meetings, and special events. In addition, this space will be used for school-related speakers and events, providing learning opportunities designed for both Academy students and the broader Brookfield community.
From theatrical productions, to solo and ensemble music competitions and recitals, to forensics and speech competitions, students will gain experience performing. They will also learn stage and technical management and set design. A new facility means larger audiences—families, alumni, friends, and our community neighbors—can enjoy these events.
CLASSROOM ADDITIONS
The Upper School enrollment growth that followed the 2010 opening of Patriots Hall has at times taxed the current facility. Brookfield Academy remains committed to maintaining close-knit, small-school feel, while continuing to offer the academic opportunities, extracurricular activities, and student involvement often associated with a much larger school. Supporting this balance requires additional academic facilities, particularly science laboratories and fine arts classroom spaces.
A new science lab with lecture and lab spaces will complete the suite of existing labs. This will allow science teachers to prepare for classes and labs with their materials available at all times, eliminating moving items from class to class or interrupting a class in progress. In addition, a dedicated Robotics Lab will be upgraded to meet the specific needs of this growing program.
We will also add theater classrooms and remodel existing performing arts space which will allow for increased programming and possible stagecraft and set design classes. This space will be flexible in its design and allow use as a staging area during performances, as well as support the needs of the current instrumental and choral programs.
We will also add theater classrooms and remodel existing performing arts space which will allow for increased programming and possible stagecraft and set design classes. This space will be flexible in its design and allow use as a staging area during performances, as well as support the needs of the current instrumental and choral programs.
CONSTITUTION AND LIBERTY HALLS
A gymnasium addition is an important part of our plan to consolidate Levels 1–5 “on top of the hill.”
We value physical and mental health, and access to a facility attached to the existing building will provide our students with opportunities for physical education and programs that support the growth of the whole child. It will also provide more gym time than what is currently available for Lower School athletic practices and games.
Additionally, the new multi-functional facility will provide Lower School students a place for indoor recess, lunch, and extracurricular programs.
PROGRAM SWITCH
Consolidating Levels 1–5 in Constitution Hall permits the Academy to “grow to get smaller” by adding classrooms and keeping class sizes small. Constitution Hall and Independence Hall will provide students with their programming needs in one area, supporting academic and extracurricular needs for all our students.
Students in Little Knights through Level B will then move to Liberty Hall—a facility with an appropriate layout for our littlest scholars. We will create an age-appropriate space that provides our youngest students with classrooms meeting their unique needs, while offering room for growth.
Benefits and Costs
Patriots Hall Venue
- Build a 6,500 square-foot versatile performance space that will meet the campus-wide needs of a robust Fine Arts Program and other mission-appropriate presentations.
- Provide an innovative retractable seating space that can accommodate audiences from 100–350.
- Create an intimate performance area that allows students from all divisions to participate in plays, choral, band, and orchestra presentations, speaking competitions, and other student activities.
- Provide a venue for Upper School assemblies, classrooms, academic testing, and competitions.
- Provide the school with a dedicated space to host guest speakers and other community events.
Classroom Additions
- Build additional classrooms to meet the needs of increasing enrollment, while maintaining small class sizes.
- Create additional space for instrumental and choral music programming, rehearsal rooms, set design, and storage areas.
- Build a new state-of-the-art science lab.
- Create dedicated space for the growing robotics program.
- Provide adequate space to allow for future growth of academic and extracurricular offerings.
Cost: $500,000
Multi-use gym & Classrooms
- Build a full-size gym for Levels 1–5 students moving to Constitution Hall.
- Add classrooms and additional academic space to meet student growth, while maintaining small class sizes.
- Provide Lower School students with an indoor
- space for daily assemblies, physical
- education, recess activities, and lunch.
- Provide Lower School students with a
- dedicated space for robotics, extracurricular activities, and after-school programs.
- Renovate Independence Hall to better meet the needs of a growing fine arts curriculum.
Program Switch
- Renovate Liberty Hall for the Little Knights, Level A, and Level B students.
- Create size-appropriate classrooms and additional academic space to meet student growth, while maintaining small class sizes.
- Provide a welcoming, nurturing environment for our younger students and their families.
- Create a playground that allows our littlest students a safe place to play.
- Create open areas where students have the space to engage in indoor activities during and after school.
Leadership Levels
List of 11 items.
BUILDING A BRIGHT FUTURE
Join us in fostering excellence and expanding opportunities for our students. Your generosity will make a lasting impact on the lives of our students and the future of Brookfield Academy while:
Preserving Heritage and Embracing Innovation
At Brookfield Academy, we adhere to the ideals of our Founders, while continuously striving for educational excellence and improvement. Your financial support reinforces the commitment we make together to maintain an environment that meets the educational needs of our students.
Investing in Character and Values
Your donation supports our Mission to graduate students who are not only academically prepared, but also equipped with firm moral principles and a sense of responsibility to every person.
Fostering Intellect
With your support, we can provide our students with the resources and opportunities to excel and reach their full potential.
Encouraging Individuality
The proposed additions and renovations give students increased opportunities to develop their unique talents and grow to the best of their abilities. Your financial support can help ensure that each student is given access to those opportunities.
Committing to Pursue Truth
Whether it is in the classroom, on the stage, playground, or athletic field, our students are taught to look for and pursue all that is good and true. Your support for Soar with the Stars: Act II will prepare our students to face an uncertain future with the academic and moral foundation they will need to succeed and lead.
Questions regarding Soar with the Stars: Act II, please contact
