St. Margaret's School has a blueprint for renewing its campus while remaining true to its mission. The master plan approved by the Board of Governors in January 2002 offers a flexible, systematic approach for ensuring that the school's facilities will continue to support both its current programs and future aspirations.

It's a forward-thinking move, said Head of School Margaret R. Broad. Most colleges have had master plans for years, but this kind of strategic thinking about the relationship between programs and facilities is still relatively new to the independent school world.

"By adopting the master plan, the Board has built a framework for sustaining, enhancing, and improving the campus so that we remain an attractive choice for future students and faculty," she said.

It's also a powerful tool for managing change, she added. When a donor wishes to make a major capital gift, for example, the plan can help determine how his or her interests best match the school's identified needs.

More than 100 students, parents, faculty, staff, and alumnae participated in the nearly year-long planning process.

Future Goals

St. Margaret’s is currently in the planning and development stage of its newest capital campaign. The “Charting Our Course..... Strong today. Stronger tomorrow.” Campaign will support the new outdoor athletic complex, development of a comprehensive river plan, and significant increases in the school’s endowment and Annual Fund. Growth in these areas will help students reach their full potential by having the best possible resources and facilities available to support their development, both in and out of the classroom.

The new athletic complex includes two regulation playing fields, two softball diamonds, a wooded cross-country track, and boathouse and dock. The fields are currently being used for competition. The River program is planned to further integrate the Rappahannock River into community life, enabling the river to serve as a place where students can enjoy the natural setting as well as learn through interactive science and conservation. The endowment and Annual Fund elements of the campaign will ensure that SMS will be able to provide and operate excellent programs with outstanding faculty well into the future.