These may not be the most exciting additions to Willis Hall, but they're just as important. These "little things" are big accomplishments for those familiar with the "challenges" of Willis Hall, like a leaky roof (no more!), bad HVAC (we have new closets to make room for the new system!) and aging electrical (brand-spanking-new!). Yes, we're kind of giddy about these hidden gems. After all, on a rainy day like today, that new roof makes a BIG difference!

The fill has been delivered and is now being evened out between Willis and Ellis Halls. We've also removed the landscaping on the side of Old Slack to allow for the infrastructure that needs to be placed underground for the new buildings. The Betty Branch sculpture is being stored safely while the work continues. Move the 360-degree photos to take a look around!

​On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I would like to share that we unanimously voted on June 24 to officially launch the most transformative capital project in the School’s history. We have committed to a building and renovation project that will be life changing for North Cross School and our students.

This project will re-imagine our campus to match the stellar classroom instruction of our faculty.  It will position North Cross as one of the premier independent schools in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

​Our plans constitute one of the most ambitious projects currently underway in the Roanoke Valley. The total project costs are estimated at $16.5M and our Campaign Steering Committee has adopted a fundraising goal of $14M. We are extremely pleased with the progress of what we are calling The Legacy Campaign thus far and the amount of support committed in the “quiet” phase. As The Legacy Campaign moves toward a public launch in the coming months, we hope you will join us in taking part in what will be the most impactful endeavor in our School’s 75 year history. Here are some highlights of what is to come over the next academic year: 

Happy Summer!

If you haven't been on campus lately you would be surprised to see all that's happened in the last 3 weeks: 

1. Willis hall roof parapets (the flat protrusions along the top edge) all the way around have been removed. 
2. New CAC road is roughed in and is being used (please drive carefully)
3. New Ellis Hall turnaround has been laid (still waiting on the sidewalk)
4. Willis Hall labs have been abated, tile removed, and trenches in the concrete floors have been cut (to add new plumbing and electrical)
5. Main traffic circle is closed forever with lots of fill dirt being added
6. Old greenhouse is gone forever!
7. Willis Hall student restrooms have been gutted

Over the next several weeks you will see work progress in the following areas:

1. The new Willis Hall roof being installed, including insulation and metal
2. More fill being brought in to the center circle (future Forum area)
3. Foundations, concrete, and steel being added in the new Willis and Ellis administration areas
4. Electrical infrastructure being added to Willis Hall
5. New flooring, casework, electrical, and plumbing in the 3 science labs
6. Tile, sinks, hand dryers, and partitions being installed installed for a complete renovation of the Willis Hall bathrooms!

M. Eric Lawrence
Director of Operations 
Owner's Representative

The circle is closed off and the asphalt is being ripped up! Below is looking toward Colonial from Old Slack…

Below is looking towards Old Slack from the Ellis Hall parking lot.

And so it begins…

We are pleased to announce the following recent updates to our construction progress. After the summer of 2018 in which the groundwork (or, under-groundwork, as it were) was laid for the new buildings, all seemed quiet on the campus for the academic year of 2018-19. But in the spring of 2019, the construction trailer found a home in the Upper School parking lot and safety gates were erected to allow for the real dirty work to begin. And how! Excavators were on the scene digging up the concrete pathway and leveling the grade next to Willis Field in order to create a new roadway to the Carter Athletic Center (CAC) parking lot. It might not sound exciting, but for our campus, whose community not only consists of North Cross teachers, staff and students, but CAC members we well, the road that will be installed between Willis Hall and Willis Field, is a welcome addition.

This road will create a division between the CAC and the campus so that pedestrians are the only traffic buzzing between our school buildings. Now, the CAC members will park by accessing a direct road to the CAC parking lot that is separate from our campus. This summer, the renovations will begin on Willis Hall, with a new roof, science labs and other improvements will be ready for students when they return in the fall of 2019. Visit The Plan, and scroll to the Timeline to see how this transformation will take place.