INSPIRING OUR FUTURE / CAMPAIGN
Elevating Our Future Comprehensive Campaign Takes Shape in 2022
With rich academic and co-curricular programming in place, Northwood School leadership believes now is the time to turn its attention to its endowment and facilities to ensure the School’s future sustainability. “The first six years of my tenure at Northwood were focused on strengthening the School experience with robust programs in a number of areas,” said Head of School Mike Maher. Those programs included new co-curriculars in soccer and dance and the revitalization of the Northwood Outing Club (NOC). On the academic side, an invigorated L.E.A.P. program, the addition of Olympic Physics, the Advanced STEM Research Program, the Advanced Humanities Program and the Independent Study program have enhanced the School’s rigorous college preparatory curriculum and have given Northwood students an edge in the college admission process. “The next chapter of Northwood’s history is focused on growing the endowment and creating state-of-the-art facilities that support the mission of the School,” Maher continued. To that end, the School has announced its plans to embark on a multi-phase comprehensive campaign, with $9 million in leadership gifts already in hand. The first three phases of the campaign include construction of an outdoor turf field, new Allyn Building entryway, learning commons, and dining hall, as well as plans to grow the endowment to support people and programs through financial aid, faculty development and operating support. Future phases under consideration include a girls’ dormitory, arts center and athletic complex. The final campaign goal will be determined at the June 2022 Board meeting.
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Northwood
| SPRING 2022
Phase I: Turf Field The first phase, a pro-level turf field constructed parallel to Northwood Road, saw its inaugural matches hosted by Northwood’s elite boys’ soccer squad in November 2021. Measuring 220 ft. by 360 ft., the field utilizes FieldTurf’s Revolution 360 system which is widely considered to be the premier product in the turf industry. It features 9 lbs. of infill per sq. ft., a mix of rubber and sand placed between the synthetic grass blades that provides both cushion and footing. Studies published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine have shown FieldTurf’s surface leads to significantly fewer injuries and concussions as compared to natural grass. The field is maintained with an Avant loader, a small tractor specially designed to sweep, sift infill to remove debris, and even plow turf. Bleachers for spectators were added this spring, and a press booth and netting behind the goals are planned for the coming months.
A new pro-level turf field was completed in the fall of 2021 as part of Phase I.
