Located on the site of the former Hal Roach Studios, 8780 and 8794 National Boulevard will conjoin to create one campus. The new space will serve the entire school community, with seven more classrooms, three language labs, two additional art studios, a multi-media center, a multipurpose theatre, an outdoor environmental classroom and a “green†playing field.
The new facilities are being funded through a combination of private funds and bond financing. To date, $5.8 million has been raised toward the project from families, friends and foundations. Jamie Widdoes and Stephen Plum co-chair the campaign. Widdoes is a former Board Chair and father of three alumni. He is currently directing Two and a Half Men. Plum has a son who currently attends the school. He serves as Executive Vice President, Business Affairs, at Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation.
The lead gift to the campaign was made by musician Travis Barker through his foundation. “The Travis Barker Music Center will enable Turning Point to significantly expand our music program for our students,†states Deborah Richman, Head of School. “The arts have always played an essential role at Turning Point School since our founding. We are extremely grateful to Travis for his extraordinary gift. Generations of students will benefit from his generosity.†The Travis Barker Music Center includes a separate band classroom, plus drama/dance and elementary music rooms.
At the heart of the new academic building is a 378 seat multi-purpose theater. Faculty and students will have the opportunity to mount productions that have technical needs beyond the school’s current capability. The new theater will serve as a teaching laboratory for students who want to explore lighting, sound and projection. At other times the theater will become a screening room for documentaries, movies and multi-media presentations created by our students. It will also be the setting for graduation and prospective parent events.
In addition to the new academic building, the expansion project includes a new 90 feet by 170 feet all-weather field that will provide expanded opportunity for students across class levels to be outdoors. The field can be configured for a variety of sports, such as a practice soccer or football field or outdoor volleyball court.
Arnie Levitt from the Levitt Group is the architect. Arnie was also the architect for the school’s current facility. Ed Grush General Contractor is overseeing construction.
Environmental stewardship and sustainability have influenced all building decisions from the beginning of the project. The new academic building itself will become an environmental laboratory, incorporating “green†elements wherever possible. Solar panels, for example, will provide the exterior lighting for the new facilities. Plants located strategically throughout the building will help to purify the air and generate a fresh supply of oxygen. Occupancy sensors will turn on and off the lights when students walk through the building. Display boards will educate students about energy use and utilization of recycled products in the completion of the facility. According to architect Levitt, “We’ve designed the building with a goal to save the resources that many of us take for granted. Turning Point students will gain a profound understanding that they have responsibility for the future.”
Founded in 1970, Turning Point School enrolls approximately 365 girls and boys from diverse backgrounds as day students in Primary (2 years, 10 months) through Level 8.
