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The Village: Key things to know

As the Middle School is under constructions, students will be housed in The Village
Rendering of the new Middle School building.

Story by: Holland Hall Communications

Photos by: Chris McConnell | Assistant Director of Communications & Marketing

Key updates for Village life (beginning Jan. 8, 2026):

  • Adjusted Start Time: 8:20 a.m. This allows Upper School traffic to clear before Middle School student traffic arrives.
  • Drop-off between 8:05-8:20 a.m. (please do not arrive before 8 a.m.)
  • Wednesdays only: Drop-off begins at 8:55 a.m., with classes starting at 9:10 a.m.
  • Before-care will be offered each day beginning at 7 a.m. with the only change being that students will be walked over to the Village at 8:05 a.m. (8:55 a.m. on Wednesdays).

Adjusted Dismissal

  • Dismissal: 3:20 p.m. (please do not arrive before 3:05 p.m.)
  • 7th–8th Grades: Dismissal after sports (coaches will share details).
  • Class Transitions: Some passing times will be longer, since students will be walking to arts, music, PE, lunch, and the library.
  • 7th–8th Grade Sports: Sports period will begin after classes end at 2:30 p.m.
What is The Village?
The Village sits just behind the Upper School and will house 4th-8th grades during construction. Visitors may continue to park in front of the WAC and the Chapman Green.
Why are we using temporary buildings during construction?
These are not the “prefabs” of the past. Many schools have used temporary buildings with great success. They are designed to create a seamless learning experience with all students and faculty together. Each building has easy access to bathrooms, water fountains and other amenities that are needed during the school day.
In the temporary buildings, how will safety be approached?
The same way we always approach it at Holland Hall, with diligence and intentionality. All regular security parameters remain in place: campus access only via the new Welcome Center, Centegix alert badges for all employees, and lockable doors on all student spaces. That means we will still be able to lockdown, and our crisis alert system will communicate with everyone in this space. In case of bad weather, teachers have clear evacuation routes to nearby shelters that will be practiced regularly during drills, just as they are now. Administration and safety teams will remain especially attentive to weather conditions to ensure we relocate quickly and safely if needed.
How will Holland Hall maintain the student learning experience in The Village?
Teachers have ensured that classroom routines, curriculum, and the overall learning experience remains consistent. Student schedules will stay the same, with only a few extra minutes built in for travel time from the village to music, art, library, PE, and lunch. The school day will run from 8:20 a.m.-3:20 p.m. (instead of 8 a.m.-3:10 p.m.), allowing us to continue chapel, advisory, assembly, and all of the other activities that make up a typical week in middle school.
How long will students be in The Village?
We anticipate the entire project taking 14 to 18 months and are planning to provide regular updates on any conditions that will impact the expected schedule.
Where will the new middle school building be?
The current construction plan utilizes the existing footprint of the MS with expansion on the north side of the building (including the faculty parking lot).
Will the new middle school be new or renovated?
Both! Lake Flato — the architecture firm retained by the Board of Trustees — has a vision for the current Middle School space that is truly transformational. And, a newly built space just to the north of the current building will allow for more classrooms, as well as much-needed new learning spaces. Only the arts annex will be demolished. The plans are possible because:The current building has few interior structural walls, which has allowed the architects and builders to address foundational issues while also having the freedom to reimagine the space as Upper School architect O’Neil Ford might have done more than 50 years ago. By utilizing the existing footprint, Holland Hall is being extraordinarily efficient with our funding while also ensuring the environmental impact is minimal.
What will the new middle school look like?
Please see the attached renderings (which are subject to change, just like everything else in a construction project). Interior design features include: Science labs and modern technology labs to better support learning and collaboration. Grade-level commons spaces to facilitate grade-level and community meetings. New spaces that enhance the enjoyment and educational potential of our green and wooded campus. Nimble furniture to support flexible learning, small group work, and study nooks. Reoriented offices for administrators and support staff
How much will the new middle school cost?
The board approved a capital campaign of $41 million dollars with $30 million earmarked for the middle school. With enthusiastic and generous support of early donors, the Board of Trustees approved moving forward with construction. The Board of Trustees is confident that the additional philanthropic support necessary to build the Middle School will be accomplished through continued fundraising efforts. The Middle School project cost may fluctuate during the pre-construction and construction phases.
Will the new middle school project impact tuition?
Just like the Tandy, our goal is to fund this project with donor support without the use of tuition dollars
What was the process for selecting the architect and builder? Why an out-of-town architect?
After the Board of Trustees approved the project, the Building and Grounds committee undertook a competitive bid process for local and national architectural firms. They ultimately selected Lake Flato from San Antonio, a firm that has completed multiple projects at schools like ours throughout the country. Lake Flato’s pedigree goes back to O’Neil Ford, one of the original architects of the campus’ cornerstone building, the Upper School Walter Academic Building. Ford’s design was the main impetus behind the building’s recent inclusion on the National Historic Register.
Will the community be asked to get involved?
Many, many of you have given your feedback throughout the process of planning for a new Middle School. As the campaign continues, everyone in the community will be invited to contribute and take part!
What about the other branches/buildings/programs?
Just as the cornerstone of the last campaign was a common space for the campus — the A.R. and Marylouise Tandy Dining and Wellness Center — this campaign focuses on the building that most needs attention on campus. But the Middle School is just one part of the campaign. Everyone in our community benefits from a renovated chapel with increased seating, a new turf field for our soccer and field hockey programs, the Self Family Welcome Center (the new gatehouse), and endowments for financial aid and recruiting and retaining excellent teachers.

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