CHESAPEAKE, Va. – The rain didn’t stop StoneBridge School administration, board leaders, and donors from cutting the ribbon on a 13,000-square foot Upper School building, Wednesday, August 7, surrounded by representatives from TowneBank, the Beazley Foundation, and members of the entire community.
The ribbon cutting celebration marked a major milestone in the school’s 40-plus year history, which began in the home of founder Carole Adams in 1980. The school was able to complete the project with generous loan terms from TowneBank, along with the help of committed donors, the Smithfield Foundation, Beazley Foundation, and TowneBank Foundation.
Wednesday’s celebration signaled the culmination of a five-year donor-driven capital campaign and a more than year-long construction process. The campaign sought to optimize the school’s learning spaces by including art and STEM labs in the new building, better secure the campus, and have the facilities reflect the excellence of its community.
The construction was an integral part of the board’s long-term strategy that began more than a decade ago to optimize the campus. When the Lower and Upper School first merged onto the current campus in 2011, the Lower School was housed in the main building, while the Upper School occupied modulars. Today, the new building brings all students under one roof. It comes 14 months after the school first broke ground in June 2023.
“While we understand that this building is not to be looked at as a shrine or any sort of a temple, we do recognize that this campus is holy ground and is used in the carrying out of our mission,” SBS Board Chair Eric Plumlee noted while thanking all those who helped bring this project to fruition.
Plumlee specifically thanked TowneBank, The Beazley Foundation, Glenn Nunziata and the Smithfield Foundation, and everyone who has partnered with the school and given sacrificially to help fulfill the school’s mission.
“Today is another step in the continuation of that vision, through the generosity and work of your people,” Rev. David Dickson, SBS Bible teacher, prayed during the dedication. “Our mission is not about building buildings. It is about changing hearts and minds, making disciples who faithfully take the good news of your kingdom into every area of life, creating culture that brings glory to you and cultivates faithfulness, culture that sows the seeds of self-government. Empower us by your Word and Spirit to be good stewards of this mission as we utilize this wonderful building.”
Head of School Noel Thomason noted that the building was a tool to accomplish the mission in raising up the next generation.
“What’s so exciting about the building, the campus, and the growth is physically now there is something that shows the support that’s gone into years and years of promises and donations and people pouring in behind the scenes,” he said. “I can’t tell you how much this will equip us to continue our mission and continue to be a community asset.”
StoneBridge is a classical preschool-12th grade private Christian school serving Christian families through a Biblical Principle Approach® education. The school seeks to empower students in Christ and equip them for life by helping each child reach the fullest potential in Christ.
