The Wonder of We

The

A Capital Campaign for Walker’s Innovative Future

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t The Walker School, wonders await in every setting, whether the classroom, the art studio or stage, the playing field or gym. Throughout campus, signs abound that Walker is an exceptional community.

Students and faculty collaborate on problem solving and discovery, displaying their passion for knowledge.

WE value meaningful relationships.

Groups of students cluster in hallways and benches, extending learning and dialogue beyond the classroom.

WE strive for academic excellence everywhere.

Original student creations line hallways and classrooms, empowering young people to feel pride and joy in their own work.

WE communicate through art and movement.

Athletes gather on playing fields, building teamwork and competition in an environment where students are taught to lead and follow while striving toward victory.

WE compete with character and drive.

Older students stop to talk with younger peers, providing guidance and encouragement that, at Walker, everyone is part of the same family.

WE are the wonder of Walker.

The goal of a Walker education is not to memorize facts and figures but to ignite possibility by encouraging students to wonder and discover their true capabilities. Walker lives…

The Wonder of We.

“Mystery creates wonder and wonder is the basis of humankind’s desire to understand.”

– Neil Armstrong

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he heart of Walker’s appeal as a school is in the meaningful relationships that inspire transformative learning.

Students and faculty collaborate on problem solving and discovery, displaying their passion for knowledge.

WE value meaningful relationships.

Groups of students cluster in hallways and benches, extending learning and dialogue beyond the classroom.

WE strive for academic excellence everywhere.

Original student creations line hallways and classrooms, empowering young people to feel pride and joy in their own work.

WE communicate through art and movement.

Athletes gather on playing fields, building teamwork and competition in an environment where students are taught to lead and follow while striving toward victory.

Here, education is an intentional partnership: teachers lift up and encourage students; peers learn from and enjoy one another; faculty share ideas and best practices.

WE compete with character and drive.

Older students stop to talk with younger peers, providing guidance and encouragement that, at Walker, everyone is part of the same family.

WE are the wonder of Walker.

The goal of a Walker education is not to memorize facts and figures but to ignite possibility by encouraging students to wonder and discover their true capabilities. Walker lives…

The Wonder of We. “Mystery creates wonder and wonder is the basis of humankind’s desire to understand.”

– Neil Armstrong

“Mystery creates wonder and wonder is the basis of humankind’s desire to understand.”

– Neil Armstrong

“To be true to ourselves, we must be true to others.”

– Jimmy Carter

T

W

hrough actions

alker’s dedicated

and interactions,

teachers exude contagious intellectual energy, demonstrate authentic interest in the mind’s development that extends beyond

We keep our promises.

Walker teachers cultivate students’ spirit of wanting to know more – from the classroom and hallways, to

their core subject

the lab and library,

areas, and model

in the art studio

genuine respect

and on stage, and

for students and one another.

across the court and playing field.

“To be true to ourselves, we must be true to others.� – Jimmy Carter

A We keep our promises.

W

alker students, feeling known and encouraged by their teachers and classmates, come to value the experience over the applause, developing along the way the confidence to explore new avenues of thinking, the wisdom to articulate meaningful insights, and the fortitude to act with integrity and honor.

t the culmination of this carefully guided, increasingly independent journey from Early Learners through grade 12, Walker graduates have evolved from curious young learners into critically thinking, individually expressive, confidently collaborative, and admirably honest young adults thoroughly prepared for the intellectual and relational challenges of college and life.

“The invariable mark of wisdom is to see the miraculous in the common.� – Ralph Waldo Emerson

We Never Stop Learning The Walker School encourages students to never stop learning.

In that same spirit of continual growth and development, the school community has embarked on a period of intensive assessment and planning over the past few years.

The School is now poised to move forward with the realization of its remaining strategic goals. Eighteen acres of contiguous property were acquired in November 2014 allowing for a campus master plan to be finalized, and the first phase of development to be identified.

The funds raised through The Wonder of We Capital Campaign will not only help realize a critical strategic goal but will also benefit generations of Walker students today and in the future.

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s the only independent, non-sectarian college-preparatory school in Cobb County, The Walker School fills a unique niche for families seeking an engaging educational experience within an intimately-scaled, caring and

diverse community. The School serves more than 950 students ages 3 through 18, offering a rigorous academic curriculum with incredible opportunities for arts, athletics, community service and leadership.

The Walker School has earned a reputation for exceptional academic, arts and athletics programs that are led by highly qualified and dedicated educators and coaches. The school community is exceptionally close, comprised of remarkable families and students who believe in the deep value of a Walker education. The opportunity now before Walker is to build facilities that match the high caliber of the School’s programs, students, families, faculty and staff.

In 2013, Walker adopted a new strategic plan, thinking boldly and deliberately about the possibilities for the future. One of the key strategic priorities is to enhance campus facilities, with special attention to science labs and technology, arts and athletics. In addition the School capitalized on the opportunity to purchase contiguous land, allowing for consolidation of athletic facilities and setting the stage for future campus development.

To realize these strategic goals, The Walker School Board of Trustees has approved a long-range campus master plan and has begun work on Phase I of campus development to include: > a new Middle and Upper School science and technology building > renovation and repurposing of existing facilities to enhance the arts > partial development of the recently acquired 18 acres of contiguous property for athletics.

In order to fund this exciting project, the School proudly launches its largest philanthropic effort ever.

The

A capital campaign for Walker’s innovative future

“Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.”

– Socrates

30,000 square-foot Science and Technology Building

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S TAT E R O U T E 3 C O B B PA R K W AY

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EXISTING TENNIS

CONCENTRA EQUIPMENT INNOVATORS

EQUIPMENT INNOVATORS

EXISTING BUILDING

“Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.”

EXISTING TENNIS

BUDGET INN MOTEL

– Socrates

EXISTING BUILDING

EXISTING PARKING

DAMAR

NEW SCIENCE/ TECH. BUILDING

NEW PARKING

EXISTING PARKING

191 SPACES

ROAD

EXISTING BASEBALL EXISTING PRACTICE FIELD

REWORKED DETENTION

BOWDEN LIBRARY EXISTING TENNIS

EXIST. SERVICE

EXISTING TENNIS

EXISTING PARKING 33 SPACES

AREA TO BE STOCKPILED CONCRETE AND ASPHALT FROM EXISTING BUILDING & PARKING FOR FUTURE FILL MATERIAL

EXISTING PLAYGROUND

EXISTING PARKING EXISTING BLEACHERS

EXISTING PRE-SCHOOL PARKING

EXISTING PRE-SCHOOL

UPPER SCHOOL

NEW PRACTICE FIELD 160’ x 300’

815 ALLGOOD

EXISTING PRACTICE FIELD

NEW ADMIN.

EXISTING POND

160’ x 300’

NEW WOLVERINE WAREHOUSE

MIDDLE SCHOOL

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THEATER / AUDITORIUM

BASEBALL FIELD

ADMISSIONS

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Phase 1 Campus Development

855 ALLGOOD

“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.”

– Albert Einstein

Science and Technology Facility Dedicated Middle School Science Labs The Middle School science program currently uses two labs

We Inspire Innovation and Lifelong Learning

and one instructional classroom. The new facility will have four Middle School science rooms each with lab and lecture/ instructional space.

The Upper Walker School School Biology/Chemistry is celebrated for dedicated Labs andteachers Physics who Labs prepare for thescience intellectual and social challenges of four The students Upper School program will expand to include college andeach life. Unlike public schools, Walker faculty members rooms with lab and lecture/instructional space specifically are not forced for to teach to and state-mandated guidelinesasand designed Biology Chemistry instruction well as two standardized tests. dedicated Instead, creativity and innovation flourish. similar spaces to Physics.

Walker teachers – 70% of whom have earned an advanced degree – design every course the sequence of the Middle and Upper Schooland Robotics Classrooms curriculum. have the flexibility to customize The newTeachers facility will include dedicated spaces for lessons both Middle to the students in front them, School providing engaging School robotics andofUpper robotics eachlearning including that competition focuses on the individual. courts.

Challenging Academic Demands Upper School Media Tech Suite As aand result, Walker students critically thinking, individually Middle School Techare Classroom expressive, confidently honest.

The Middle School collaborative program will and now admirably have use of an additional Through a rigorous academic curriculum and flexible technology classroom adjacent to challenging the robotics array room. of courses, students are wellwill prepared demands Upper School students be ablefor to the growacademic and enhance the of the collegemedia experience.

The Upper School offers 25 Advanced school’s tech program through a full media tech suite Placement courses across six departments.

Onrecording average, astudio Walker which includes an editing/tech classroom, student will room take five courses before they graduate. In May control andAP video/green studio.

2015, 189 students took 515 Advanced Placement exams.

Historically, percent of Walker graduates are accepted to Faculty 100 Workspace four-year universities.

Each colleges program,orMiddle and Upper School, will have a faculty work suite that encourages faculty collaboration in planning and Relevant Learning Environments executing curriculum.

These spaces are intended to create an Walker must keepwhere pace with the evolving environment teachers can workeducational together tolandscape create the and strongest ensure that learning programs. spaces are appropriately equipped to integrated support 21st century skill development. Today’s students must be prepared for the complexities of aWork connected, Flexible and Individual Student Spaces global economy, with With a comprehensive educationstudent rich in work, technology, some advanced-level there isscience, a need and for maththese skillsprojects with strong literacy and communication skills. to have a dedicated lab where they can carry on individual projects/experiments throughout the school year.

The These state-of-the-art Science & Technology building the will space provideto work spaces were designed to allow students 30,000 square feet of innovativebyspace designed specifically for the while still being supervised a faculty member.

In addition, The corridors Walker School’s program. only will withinto of the facility are Not designed to students maximizelearn the space the facility, but the building itself will be a tool for thebreakout program.work. allow for small-group student collaboration and

“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.”

– Albert Einstein

Science and Technology Building Dedicated Middle School Science Labs The Middle School science program currently uses two labs and one instructional classroom. The new facility will house four Middle School science rooms each with lab and lecture/ instructional space.

Upper School Biology/Chemistry Labs and Physics Labs The Upper School science program will expand to include four rooms each with lab and lecture/instructional space specifically designed for Biology and Chemistry instruction as well as two similar spaces dedicated to Physics.

Middle and Upper School Robotics Classrooms The new building will include dedicated spaces for both Middle School and Upper School robotics, each including competition courts.

Upper School Media Tech Suite and Middle School Tech Classroom The Middle School program will now have use of an additional flexible technology classroom adjacent to the robotics room.

Upper School students will be able to grow and enhance the School’s media tech program through a full media tech suite which includes an editing/tech classroom, recording studio control room and video/green studio.

Faculty Workspace Each program, Middle and Upper School, will have a faculty work suite that encourages faculty collaboration in planning and executing curriculum and instruction. These spaces are intended to create an environment where teachers can work together to create the strongest integrated programs.

Flexible and Individual Student Work Spaces Because some Walker students conduct independent science research, there is a need to have a dedicated lab where they can carry on these individual projects/experiments throughout the school year. The work spaces were designed to allow students the space to work while still being supervised by a faculty member. In addition, the corridors of the facility are designed to maximize the space to allow for small-group student collaboration and breakout work.

We Ignite Creativity The Walker School has cherished and celebrated the arts for decades. Through artistic expression, students learn to take risks and develop a unique point of view, coming to value the experience over the applause. From Preschool through grade 12, the arts are an essential part of our curriculum. With space

We Value Arts Education The arts build character and self-confidence, require discipline Facility Renovations and Repurposing and practice, and contribute to a richer understanding of self and the larger world. According to a 2013 study by the Dedicated Middle and Upper School Art Labsdevelops thinking Arts Education Partnership, arts 2D education Current labs will be repurposed to be used side-by-side skillsscience and capabilities required for success in thefor 21st century

and technology spaces to the new building, we will be able

Middle andincluding Upper school 2D art labs. The proximity of these rooms workforce, creativity, problem solving, collaboration and to one another will promote cross divisional collaboration and also allow communication skills, and capacity for leadership.

The study

to transform those existing spaces and give Walker’s amazing

for theemphasizes art team to maximize thethe use of in supplies. the value of arts preparing young people

arts program better facilities to foster a love for the visual and

for success in life by strengthening perseverance, facilitating Shared Middle and Upper School 3Dsupporting Art Lab civic engagement, cross-cultural understanding, Again,and withfostering collaboration in mind, students in thefrom Middle Upper community.

Recent findings Theand College

becoming available through the relocation of current science

perfoming arts. In addition, classrooms will be repurposed to maximize faculty collaboration.

school will haveshow the space to expand their ceramics Board that students who takelove fourforyears of artsand and3D art.

music classes while in high school score about 100

points better on their SATs than peers who took only Dance Studio with Changing Rooms one-half year or less.

The dance program at Walker has increased tremendously over the last several years with students not only learning the art of dance, but also working dance into musical theater. Converting the current Middle School art lab and adjacent classroom into a dance studio will allow for this program to grow and flourish. In addition, the proximity of the room to the Mozley Black Box Theater and Coca-Cola Family Auditorium is advantageous for the program.

Band and Orchestra Spaces The current band and orchestra rooms will be renovated to allow for more program appropriate spaces and additional instrument storage.

Wolverine Warehouse The Wolverine Warehouse will be relocated to what is now a Middle School science lab at the end of the MS wing. The new warehouse will have more space and be easy to access through the courtyard during school and during athletic events. The current warehouse facility will be used for preforming arts storage.

Relocated Classrooms and Academic Support Spaces Certain classrooms will be relocated to be in a more appropriate space for their various disciplines. In addition, both the Middle and Upper school dean’s offices will pick up much needed conference room space.

“The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.” – W.B. Yeats

We Ignite Creativity The Walker School has cherished and celebrated the arts for decades. Through artistic expression, students learn to take risks and develop a unique point of view, coming to value the experience over the applause. From Preschool through grade 12, the arts are an essential part of our curriculum. With space becoming available through the relocation of current science and technology spaces to the new building, we will be able to transform those existing spaces and give Walker’s amazing arts program better facilities to foster a love for the visual and perfoming arts. In addition, classrooms will be repurposed to maximize faculty collaboration.

Facility Renovations and Repurposing

will allow this program to grow and flourish. In addition, the proximity of the room to the Mozley Black Box Theater and Coca-Cola Family Auditorium is advantageous for the program.

Band and Orchestra Spaces

Dedicated Middle and Upper School 2D Art Labs

The current band and orchestra rooms will be renovated

Current science labs will be repurposed to be used for side-by-side

to allow for more program-appropriate spaces and additional

Middle and Upper School 2D art labs. The proximity of these rooms

instrument storage.

to one another will promote cross-divisional collaboration and allow the arts team to maximize the use of supplies.

Wolverine Warehouse The Wolverine Warehouse will be relocated to what is now a

Shared Middle and Upper School 3D Art Lab

science lab at the end of the Middle School wing. The new

Again, with collaboration in mind, students in the Middle and

Warehouse will have more space and be easy to access through

Upper School will have the space to expand their love for ceramics

the courtyard during both the school day and athletic events. The

and 3D art. There is currently no dedicated space for 3D Art.

current warehouse facility will be used for performing arts storage.

Dance Studio with Changing Rooms

Relocated Classrooms and Academic Support Spaces

The dance program at Walker has increased tremendously over the

Certain classrooms will be relocated to more appropriate spaces

last several years with students learning not only the art of dance,

for their various disciplines. These adjustments will create much

but also working dance into musical theater. Converting the current

needed conference room space for both the Middle and Upper

Middle School art lab and adjacent classroom into a dance studio

School Dean’s offices.

Property Acquisition and Initial Athletic Complex Development

We Believe in Our Student Athletes At Walker, competitive athletics begin in Middle School, giving students the opportunity to play as many as three sports per year. Through athletics, students develop confidence and leadership skills, while learning to persevere and work as part of a team. More than 70% of Walker Middle and Upper School students compete on one or more of our 50 teams in 14 sports.

Walker pride is palpable at sporting events, as students join together to root for the Wolverines.

We Plan to Expand Our Home Field

Phase I of campus development will include the following: Purchase of 18 acres of contiguous property

Permitting and wetland remediation for the new property The current athletic facilities do not support the growing demand Demolition of the existing warehouse on the property for practice and competitive venues. Through various phases Initial development of the land with the following components: of the campaign, Walker will consolidate fields and facilities for Permanent MS/US girls softball field/MS baseball field athletic teams, as well as for physical education instruction. In Permanent field house for those programs particular, there is a need for enhanced practice and competitive Permanent parking adding 154 new spaces venues for spring sports, including baseball, track and field, Permanent internal road from the new property to the preschool parking lot lacrosse and soccer. Several of these teams currently practice Temporary practice field and compete off campus, which inhibits school spirit and is logistically challenging.

An Abundance of Activity During the spring season both boys and girls teams in three

“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”

– Benjamin Franklin

sports (soccer, lacrosse and track) vie for practice time on just one field. All three sports practice five nights per week, making it very challenging to schedule appropriate times for field use throughout the week. In fact, the athletic department is not able to add requested Middle School boys and girls lacrosse teams until additional field space is acquired. In the fall, Walker’s football and softball programs must also share the field, limiting practice and regulation game times.

More Space to Play Walker is currently located on two adjacent sites, with a central 24-acre campus that primarily houses academic facilities and an adjacent 8-acre site for athletic fields and facilities. The Walker School last expanded athletic fields in 2002. Since that time the athletic department has added Middle School track and three Upper School lacrosse teams, as well as JV and Middle School football teams. In November of 2014, Walker acquired approximately 18 acres of contiguous property located behind the Warren Baseball Field on Allgood Road. The addition of this land will be used for an athletic complex to be phased in through campus development. The additional land also allows for more discretionary space on the existing campus.

Home Field Expansion Phase I of campus development includes the following:

We Believe in Our School Heroes At Walker, competitive athletics begin in Middle School, giving students the opportunity to play as many as three sports per year. Through athletics, students develop confidence and leadership skills, while learning to persevere and work as part of a team. Approximately 70% of Walker Middle and Upper School students compete on one or more of our 50 teams in 14 sports.

Walker pride is palpable at sporting events, as students join together to root for the Wolverines.

> Purchased 18 acres of contiguous property > Permitting and wetland remediation for the new property > Demolition of the existing warehouse on the property > Initial development of the land with the following components: - Permanent MS/US girls softball field/MS baseball field - Permanent field house for those programs - Permanent parking adding 154 new spaces - Permanent internal road from the new property to the Preschool parking lot - Temporary practice field

“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.� – Benjamin Franklin

We Imagine Possibilities

Just as we encourage our students to continually learn and grow, The Walker

Through The Wonder of We campaign Walker will:

School must always be prepared for what > Inspire lifelong learning and innovation

The Walker School embraces the

is next in the life of our school. For the

transformational impact of wonder,

past several years, school leaders have

with a new state-of-the-art science and

allowing students to imagine limitless

engaged in an intensive period of planning

technology facility

possibilities for the future. Wisdom

for the future of The Walker School. > Ignite the creativity of students with the

is rooted in the desire to know more, experience new things and continually

Walker has talented faculty and

repurposing and renovation of existing

ask “why?” With this emphasis on

staff, dedicated families and creative

space to better accommodate an annual

inquiry and discovery, Walker students

and engaged students. We cannot

award-winning arts program

are prepared for what is next, whether

overlook the importance of the physical

it is the next test, the next performance,

environment in Walker’s ability to create

next game or the next big step to college,

the best possible learning experience

athletic fields and facilities in the

career or life fulfillment.

for students.

development of the newly-aquired

> Expand the home field by consolidating

Allgood property, while also paving the way for future campus development

“Wonder is the heaviest element on the periodic table.

Even a tiny fleck of it stops time.”

– Diane Ackerman

The

You are the Wonder of Walker.

Show Your Support.

It will take all of us to bring this plan to life. That is why we are embarking on a capital campaign to raise philanthropic gifts to support the long-term future of the School.

Much like those before us left a legacy and built the foundation on which we all stand, the current community must gift forward to future generations of Walker students.

There are many ways to support the campaign. You may choose to make a gift of cash or securities; select from a wide range of planned giving options, including a variety of trusts, life insurance and bequests in your will; or combine two or more of these options. The Walker School is happy to work with you to determine the best fit between your intentions and the needs of our School.

Cash and Pledges

“Children live in a world of dreams and imagination, a world of aliveness...”

– Mike Yaconelli

The easiest and most popular form of giving, these contributions can be made as one-time or multi-year pledges and can be paid by cash, check or credit card. Pledge fulfillment terms are completely customizable and can be paid over three to five years.

Gifts of Appreciated Stock Sometimes more valuable than outright cash gifts, these contributions give you an immediate tax deduction and do not incur capital gains. The sale of these transferred securities enables Walker to support campaign priorities.

Communal Effort As with everything Walker undertakes, this effort must be a communal enterprise. As a community, we will all need to come together and make sacrificial gifts to make this project a reality. The wonders of Walker exist everywhere – from our students, faculty, and parents on campus, to our alumni who are changing the world. WE are the wonder of Walker. Through The Wonder of We, anything is possible.

Become part of The Wonder of We. Make your gift or pledge today by contacting our Advancement office at 678.581.6897 to explore the best option for your family.

Or make your gift or pledge online by visiting thewalkerschool.org/capital.

THE WALKER SCHOOL The Walker School is a college-preparatory independent school for families seeking an engaging educational experience within an intimately scaled, caring and diverse community where opportunities abound and meaningful relationships inspire transformative learning.

700 Cobb Pkwy North, Marietta, GA 30062