FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 21, 2026
The Wellington School Begins Major Campus Transformation on Fishinger Road
Demolition of the original 1918 schoolhouse and renovation of nearly 70,000 square feet will create a new upper school, enhanced visual and performing arts spaces, and new outdoor and community spaces
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Wellington School, a preschool–grade 12 independent school in Upper Arlington, Ohio, is advancing a major campus construction project – an investment designed to strengthen its distinctly learner-centered, intellectually rigorous approach to education and position the School for continued leadership in the region. The project will include demolition of the campus’s original 1918 building and a comprehensive renovation of nearly 70,000 square feet of existing campus facilities. Demolition and construction are slated to begin in June.
When complete in late 2027, the project will relocate Wellington's Upper School to the Fishinger Road side of campus, where students will move into fully reimagined academic and community spaces designed to support collaborative, inquiry-driven learning, and the kind of intellectual independence Wellington graduates carry into college and beyond. The transformation will also include a new upper school entrance, enhanced visual and performing arts facilities, and new outdoor and community spaces. These plans were developed with input from faculty, students, and parents ensuring they reflect the School’s educational priorities and vision.
"To fulfill our mission of helping students find their purpose and realize their potential for tomorrow's world, Wellington must continue to evolve, and this investment reflects how we do that work at Wellington – through spaces that invite curiosity, foster connection, and give students and teachers the conditions to do their best work," said Head of School Eliza McLaren.
The project carries deep historical significance for the School and the surrounding neighborhood. When Wellington's founders acquired the campus in 1981, the property included the original Perry Township schoolhouse built in 1918, along with a mid-twentieth century addition that once served as an Upper Arlington elementary school. These buildings formed Wellington's first home and remained part of campus life for decades; the 1918 building was closed in 2010.
On Saturday, May 9, Wellington hosted a groundbreaking celebration honoring the history of the 1918 building and marking the start of this next phase of campus evolution. Founders, former teachers, alumni, representatives from the Upper Arlington Historical Society, and members of the Wellington community gathered to recognize the moment and the continuity of the School’s mission across generations.
Wellington has partnered with Moody Nolan, Edge Landscape Architecture, Korda Engineering, Prater Engineering Associates, Daimler Construction, and the City of Upper Arlington on the project. The Board of Trustees adopted the Bold Leap Strategic Plan last year as Wellington approaches its fiftieth year.
About The Wellington School
The Wellington School stands apart in Columbus for its commitment to student engagement and intellectual curiosity. Founded in 1982 by a group of Columbus entrepreneurs, Wellington is an independent, coeducational college preparatory day school in Upper Arlington, Ohio, serving 750 students from preschool through grade 12. The School has built a reputation for academic excellence, robust opportunities, and an innovative approach grounded in active thinking – where students engage deeply with ideas, use evidence to support their thinking, and communicate with clarity. At Wellington, students take ownership of their learning through meaningful questions and challenging work that asks them to apply what they know in new and complex contexts. Wellington prepares students not only for college, but to think independently, exercise sound judgment, and contribute meaningfully in the world.
Media Contact
Amanda Pierce
Director of Marketing and Communications
The Wellington School
###