Northwest Catholic is developing a master plan to update the facilities as well as programs on its West Hartford campus.

Submitted by Maureen Scudder, Northwest Catholic High School

Northwest Catholic High School has begun a comprehensive master planning project that will culminate in “NWC Vision 2021” to be revealed this spring. The school has contracted the architecture firm Drummey Rosane Anderson (DRA) of Waltham, MA, and South Windsor, CT, to draw plans that will enhance the facilities and programs provided at the West Hartford high school.

Project Manager Greg Smolley of DRA was recently on campus to begin the deliberate and thorough data collection and interview process. Smolley is excited about the project at Northwest Catholic, saying “there are great opportunities on this campus.” He added how impressed he was by the staff’s “background knowledge” and “that they could already see how the environment impacts learning and vice versa.”

What Smolley found most energizing, however, was how everyone he talked to was “truly focused on the entire person, the whole education without emphasizing one program.” He said his conversations were “balanced” and “reflected the soul of the school.”

Before vetting architecture firms to tackle the ambitious project, faculty, staff, administrators, and board members at Northwest Catholic pulled together to perfect the school’s mission statement and iron out the school’s core values. During the process they added to their visionary language a graduate profile, which defines the characteristics of a Northwest Catholic alumnus or alumna. The language was folded into an all-encompassing strategic plan which addresses areas of need at the school. 

DRA is now charged with thinking creatively about the building and grounds at 29 Wampanoag Dr. in West Hartford. The school built in 1961 has enjoyed additions and renovations over the past 57 years, and since its founding, has maintained its functional, simple beauty. Today it is positioned for growth. The master planning process will help school officials articulate the direction toward innovation and DRA will draw on their expertise.

To follow the developments of Northwest Catholic’s master planning project and NWC Vision 2021, visit northwestcatholic.org/NWCVision2021.

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