CHIARAVALLE MONTESSORI CELEBRATES GRAND OPENING OF NEW NORTH WING

EVANSTON, IL (September 8, 2015) – Chiaravalle Montessori School celebrated the opening of its new North Wing with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday, Sept. 8. The ceremony began at noon at Chiaravalle Montessori (425 Dempster St.) in Evanston, Ill.

In addition to an inaugural ribbon cutting ceremony, the day’s events included two brief speeches from Robyn McCloud-Springer, head of school and Jes Sherborne, president of Chiaravalle Montessori’s Board of Trustees. Attendees had the opportunity to learn about the building’s new features and amenities, including the Global Learning Lab, Da Vinci Studio, Music and Movement Studio, Drama Studio, library and gymnasium. The guided tours also provided information on the North Wing’s incorporation of green building techniques and clean energy systems which power the building.

“Chiaravalle Montessori is delighted to announce the grand opening of the North Wing,” said Robyn McCloud-Springer, head of school at Chiaravalle Montessori. “With the construction of the new and much-improved building, Chiaravalle Montessori will be able to provide students with an ideal stage for hands-on, integrated studies and innovation.”

Chiaravalle Montessori partnered with CannonDesign, whose design process encourages student collaboration and community interaction, supports creativity and the arts and brings nature into the classroom. The North Wing’s construction and design will harmonize with Chiaravalle’s landmark brick structure designed by renowned architect Daniel Burnham. The design team’s approach strongly reflects Montessori values and priorities, making it an ideal partnership to bring the North Wing project to life.

“Together we imagined a new space where Chiaravalle could gather, share, and explore as a learning community, resulting in a new architecture that manifests the Montessori philosophy,” said Stuart Brodsky, head architect from CannonDesign. “The new three-story wing expands the existing programming bringing students together in a 21st century learning environment, offering flexible space for movement, collaborative learning, performing arts and more.”

The new structure will feature a green roof that efficiently manages storm water and lessens energy spent on heating and cooling. Through an inclusive community planning process and positive collaboration with the city, Chiaravalle is on target to receive LEED Platinum status for the addition. Chiaravalle’s goal is to be the first LEED Platinum certified Montessori school in the US and the first LEED Platinum private school in Illinois.

In addition to the opening of the North Wing, Chiaravalle Montessori is also celebrating its 50th anniversary this year with a reception on Friday, Oct. 2 and an open house on Saturday, Oct. 3.
For more information about The North Wing, please visit www.northwingproject.org.
For more information about the 50th anniversary celebration, please visit www.chiaravalle50.org.
For more information about Chiaravalle Montessori, please visit www.chiaravalle.org or call 847-864-2190.

About Chiaravalle Montessori
Founded in 1965, Chiaravalle Montessori School offers a Montessori education to children in Evanston, Rogers Park and surrounding Chicagoland suburbs. The school is a non-denominational, Montessori, independent, co-education school for children ages 2-14. Located just two blocks from Lake Michigan, the majority of the schools programs are housed in the historic building designed by architect Daniel Burnham in Evanston, Illinois. The school rents additional space for the Middle School from the First Congregational Church nearby.

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