Magnificat High School
- LocationRocky Road, Ohio, USA
- TypeMultiple Renovations
- Size60,000 SF
The renovation of this all girls’ school originated from the desire for an architectural transformation to capture the essence of the school’s mission and purpose.
This Catholic school, the largest all-girls’ Catholic high school in Ohio, sponsored by the Sisters of the Humility of Mary, has the mission of educating young women holistically. Students come to Magnificat because of the warm, caring, nurturing, and comfortable environment that allows each young woman to develop her talents and find her own voice.
The problem is that our spaces don’t reflect our education mission and are very dated.”
Fielding International helped plan and design a renovation for the school that supported this educational mission and updated the interiors to create more inspiring and collaborative environments. The renovation originated from the desire for an architectural transformation to capture the essence of the school’s mission and purpose.
The design team embraced the term “Surround Learning,” coined by Sister Helen Jean Novy. This concept connects the physical environment, new learning methodologies, and information and communication technologies to create a holistic and enriched learning experience. The resulting spaces that comprise the hub of the school are the Resource Center, Student Cafeteria, Large Group Instruction (LGI), Business and Technology Center (BTC), and the Faculty/Staff Lunch Room. Fielding designed and renovated these spaces to align with Surround Learning and to be used throughout the day, rather than just an hour or two.
Through extensive meetings with students, staff, and community members, Fielding established key design drivers, recognizing the need for a seamless transition between centralized hubs within the school. These drivers identified two main renovation potentials: upgrading the school’s library, cafeteria and common areas into state-of-the-art facilities that actively engage learning throughout the day.
While the new spaces were designed to accommodate traditional functions, they greatly expand student-centered learning through the integration of technology, daylighting, and flexible furniture. Through simple architectural modifications, Fielding transformed key spaces in the existing building to balance educational and cultural values while bringing a strong identity to the school.
The students tell me, their teachers, their parents, and visitors, “I love the Surround Learning Center!” I believe they choose the word “love” because the Center honors them with its openness, light, color, and comfort.
Other recent Fielding-designed projects include a renovated STEM Hub and a new Visual Arts Wing, continuing the legacy of creating environments that support holistic education and the development of young women.
