Q. What did the school do in Phase 1?
A. Phase one construction included:
- A new welcoming and secure entry to the main school building
- A new front office that makes the best MTS first impression
- Two new classrooms in remodeled spaces as well as new lighting and HVAC
- Renovated, ADA-compliant restrooms that replace the original 1950s bathrooms and promote wellness
- New offices that allow our professional community to work near those they serve
- Additional enhancements for efficiency, safety, and security
Q. When will Phase 2 construction begin?
A. Phase two construction will likely take place in the summer and fall of 2025. Phase two construction includes:
- A new building on the south side of the field, replacing the portables
- Five new classrooms, including a science classroom, optimized for what is being taught and who is being taught
- Additional restrooms and offices
Q. Why do the portables need to be replaced?
A. As our temporary permits expire for our portable classrooms, and we commit to creating right-size classes in fully optimized spaces to improve the teaching and learning environment, we look forward to the physical expansion of our campus.
“Today, many of our spaces are pulling double duty. Our music room became a math classroom, and the gym lobby has been turned into a classroom to teach Mandarin. Our teaching spaces are nearly 100% utilized every day. This means our schedule is driving the program rather than the program driving the schedule. The robust, departmentalized program that MTS is known for needs more classroom spaces that are optimized for the subjects and the students they teach.”
Q. Will students be impacted by construction? Will the campus be safe?
A. Phase 1 was completed in the summer of 2024. Phase 2 work will likely begin after school ends in June 2025. The field will be closed in the summer, in order to prepare the ground for construction, and then begin construction. Construction will continue through the start of the 2025-2026 school year. Specifics on how that could impact students is being planned, and we will endeavor to have the least impact possible on the daily student experience for the first part of the school year. We are already partnering with our contractor to ensure construction is done safely and has minimal impact on student learning.
Q. What’s happening to the portables?
A. The portables will be removed from campus during Phase 2 construction.
Q. Why aren’t we adding more classrooms in addition to the renovations we are doing?
A. The scope of the project was limited in large part by environmental regulations; we are pursuing the largest addition possible without triggering a costly and time-intensive environmental review. Our single-story renovation and additions were also critical to moving to the design review phase as smoothly as we did. Finally, the scope of the project is also congruent with our fundraising targets and what was learned in our capital campaign planning study. Once complete we will have added nine classroom spaces since 2020. Phase one and two add three classrooms with the portables removed.
Q. What about environmental stewardship? Are we doing solar? Using recycled water?
A. The design team has been focused on environmental stewardship. Our systems and materials choices are green and we are looking at a number of “upcycling” options. Additionally, we plan to put PV solar panels on the roof of the new building in Phase 2.
Q. Will the campus still be open during construction?
A. To ensure the safety of our community, the campus will largely be closed to families and neighbors during Summer 2025. Our typical June two-week Summer Bears Camp offered to MTS families by our staff will likely be shifted to an off-site location.
Q. What kind of enhanced security will there be?
A. One of the notable changes to campus has been a single point of entry for visitors as well as the addition of a gate at the far end of the parking lot. After morning arrival, anyone arriving on campus must pass through a single entrance, allowing us to better manage visitors and background checks. In addition, we have upgraded our security systems, including cameras and access control, as well as a new sign in system for all visitors.
Q. Will you be changing the play structure?
A. There are no changes to the red top or blacktop in either Phase 1 or Phase 2. With the portables removed and a new building on the south edge of the field when Phase 2 is complete, we will have the opportunity to plant new grass, potentially add sustainable and safe artificial turf, or add new play options.
