Construction Underway for New Parsons Quadrangle

The idea for the renovation of the Middle School quad came about quietly over the summer of 2022 as a way to honor and celebrate the contributions of Ned and Lisa Parsons over their nine years of service to Rivers. Ned Parsons recently completed his transformative run as Rivers’ eighth head of school in June 2023. 

Under Parsons’ leadership and his oversight of the $67 million FutureMakers campaign, the physical landscape of the Rivers campus was transformed, the endowment for financial aid and faculty development was significantly increased, and the community rallied to grow the annual fund in support of new and expanded programming. The reach of the campaign, and of Parsons’ leadership, have elevated the Rivers experience for generations to come. It is only fitting that a project to honor Ned and Lisa Parsons will be added to the long list of recent campus upgrades. 

The project plans were unveiled at a community celebration to honor Ned and Lisa Parsons in May. Project highlights will include removing the covered walkway in the quad and raising the grade of the quad to meet the entryways, making all the buildings accessible without ramps or steps. New entryway canopies will be at all building entryways in the quad (Prince, Haynes, Carlin, Allen), and the space will be refreshed with a turf surface to match the feel of the Lank Quadrangle. Finally, new plantings will be added to the perimeter of the quad. As part of the completed project, a tree will be planted in remembrance of Caroline Grape ’18 during Homecoming Weekend in October.

As Trustee John Foley P’22, ’25 reflected at the project announcement, “From his office window in Haynes, Ned has been able to watch Rivers Middle School students play, laugh, and enjoy being together. Ned has always believed that children should spend as much time outdoors as possible—especially Middle Schoolers, who feel a greater need to be moving!” Foley connected this sentiment back to the school’s foundational history: “Remember, The Rivers Country Day School opened its doors in 1915 as an open-air school.”

According to those who know Parsons best, the project is an appropriate capstone to his tenure as head of school. Krissie Kelleher, associate head of school for development and external relations, shared, “Through removing the covered walkways, enhancing the landscaping, and refinishing the facades of the buildings, this project will complement and celebrate Ned’s vision of a fully transformed campus.” 

If you are interested in learning more about how to support the project, contact Krissie Kelleher, associate head of school for development and external relations.