Wellington's Campus Master Plan: A Bold Leap Forward

Dear Wellington Community,

I am writing today with exciting news. In May, as part of our Bold Leap Strategic Plan, we will begin construction of a new Upper School entrance and a significant renovation of the Fishinger Road side of campus. This work will create a dynamic new home for our Upper School, enhance visual and performing arts spaces, expand academic space for our Middle School, and further strengthen the learning environment we provide for our students. 

If all proceeds as planned, we look forward to celebrating the opening of these new spaces in late 2027. The project will include the demolition of the original building on Fishinger Road, built in 1918 and closed in 2010, as well as the renovation of nearly 60,000 square feet of existing campus facilities. The designs have been shaped by faculty, students, and trustees serving on vision committees, whose thoughtful and creative contributions have been invaluable and will continue to guide this work as it comes to life.

Adopted last year by the Board of Trustees, Wellington's strategic plan charts an ambitious course as we approach the School's fiftieth year. It is grounded in a simple belief: standing still is not an option. To fulfill our mission of helping students find their purpose and realize their potential for tomorrow's world, Wellington must continue to evolve. A central element of this effort is a comprehensive campus master plan that ensures our physical spaces reflect and inspire the excellence, creativity, and ambition at the heart of Wellington’s educational vision.

For those who know Wellington’s history, this moment carries deep significance. When our founders purchased Wellington’s 23‑acre campus in 1981, they acquired the original Perry Township schoolhouse built in 1918—still visible from Fishinger Road—along with the addition constructed behind it in the mid‑twentieth century when it served as an Upper Arlington elementary school. These buildings became Wellington’s first home, and over the decades the campus has grown and evolved around them.

This phase of the campus master plan brings the history full circle. The project includes the demolition of the 1918 schoolhouse and the complete renovation of the 1950s portion of the building, and in so doing, finishes the build out of Wellington's campus while honoring its roots. In May, we will commemorate the history of the original building—and the many memories created within its walls—at a special gathering with alumni and our founders.

This work is made possible by the extraordinary generosity of several Wellington families whose belief in the School's vision has allowed the project to move forward. We are profoundly grateful for their investment in Wellington's future. If you feel inspired to be part of advancing this vision as we continue building toward full funding, we welcome the opportunity to connect—knowing that every investment is guided with care and responsibility by our Board of Trustees to ensure lasting impact.

We also extend our thanks to our partners at Daimler Construction, Moody Nolan, and the City of Upper Arlington, whose longstanding collaboration continues to support Wellington's growth. This moment is a testament to the thoughtful stewardship of the School by generations of leaders and Trustees over the past four decades.

We invite current families to join us at the next Wellington Parents' Association meeting on April 14, where we will share additional details about the project and answer questions about the campus master plan, the construction work beginning this summer, and our vision for the future. Later this year, community members will also have the opportunity to participate in a hard-hat tour to see the progress firsthand.

You will begin to see activity on the Fishinger Road side of campus in May. While we have planned carefully to minimize disruption, this work is loud, messy, and inconvenient by nature. We will keep the community informed throughout the process, and we thank you in advance for your patience and understanding as this exciting project gets underway.

With gratitude and excitement, and as always, Go Jags!

Eliza McLaren, Head of School