October Campus Transformation Update

Our full campus transformation continued in October as we work to create a campus that enhances all of our programming and deepens our educational capabilities.

In October, we:

• Built and tested a retaining wall that will help support the new Maternelle buildings.
• Conducted retaining wall, soil, erosion, and stormwater testing to ensure space is ready once building permits are issued.
• Performed underground utility work over ACE week.
• Set concrete foundations.

For most of the month, we were awaiting approval from the City of Portland for our Maternelle building permit to begin construction on the actual Maternelle buildings. The city requested a few adjustments to the permits, which we have done and submitted, so we are hoping for final permit approval in the next week or two.

With the Maternelle building process beginning in the next few weeks, our new anticipated building completion date is summer 2025, with Maternelle students and staff starting the 2025-26 school year in the new classrooms. We updated this timeline to account for any construction delays, the time it takes to get the spaces certified by the Department of Early Learning and Care, and the time it will take to move all of the Maternelle furniture and classes. In addition, the challenges and stress of moving a classroom in the middle of the year, particularly for this age group, have caused us to revisit and adjust the moving timeline.

As a reminder, our campus transformation will be funded through campaign philanthropy, our campus redevelopment fund, and strategic borrowing. Our campaign, Grow with Us, The Campaign for French International, is underway and already has pledges from 35 donors. It will take the entire French International community to reach our fundraising goal. If you are interested in having a conversation and getting involved in the campaign, please email Marianne Wilburn, Director of Development.

Throughout our school's history, we have continuously evolved to meet the needs of our students and community. Every member of our school community, past and present, has played a vital role in our history. We wouldn’t be in the position we are today to establish a permanent campus and set ourselves apart as one of the premier independent schools in Portland without the historical support of our community.