University School of NSU Celebrates Largest Expansion in History

Grand Opening of new PK-5th Grade Lower School facilities, and new 750-seat Center for the Arts set for Aug. 16

FT. LAUDERDALE-DAVIE, Fla.—When University School of Nova Southeastern University (NSU) students come back to school this fall, they will be able to enjoy the results of the largest expansion project in the school’s history.

And to celebrate, University School will be hosting a Grand Opening of its new Lower School building and new Center for the Arts on Sunday, Aug. 16 at 1 p.m. The Grand Opening festivities will be on campus, at 3301 College Ave. in Davie, and will include guided tours of the new facilities as well as a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Along with the recent renovation of its Dauer Middle School building and the addition of a state-of-the-art Aquatics Center, this entirely new University School configuration unites the physically separated lower, middle and upper schools into a new environment with covered walkways, green spaces and other amenities that will now give all the students a sense of belonging to one community.

“This is an amazing milestone in the 38-year history of University School,” said Headmaster Jerome Chermak, Ed.D. “Our entire campus is full of excitement and activity as we are creating an entirely new campus environment.”

Chermak said that no other private school in South Florida has been able to undertake a project of this magnitude, which once all phases are complete, will represent an investment of about $50 million with enhancements for all three divisions of University School.

The expansion projects being celebrated during the Grand Opening includes:

• A new 82,200 square-foot Lower School Building: The new Lower School consists of two levels of academic and office space. The first level includes a two-story main lobby, offices for administration, flexible classrooms for pre-kindergarten through grade 2, a state-of-the-art library/media center, and art, music, and computer classrooms. Anchoring the building to the west is a cafeteria/gymnasium with support spaces, a kitchen and serving area, offices, and storage for the Lower School physical education program. The first level will also house University School’s Learning and Research Academy, an innovative, personalized, and technologically rich educational experience for students in grades K-4 that have mild to moderate learning disabilities and average to gifted intelligence. The second level of the New Lower School includes both flexible and traditional classrooms for grades 3 through 5, a computer classroom, television studio, guidance suite, state-of-the-art science lab, and executive offices.
   
• A new 70,800 square-foot Center for the Arts: The Center will house two levels of academic space for the art departments of the Middle and Upper Schools, as well as an auditorium with seating for 750. It will also include a state-of-the-art theater with orchestra pit, scene shop and costume design studio, instrument classroom with sound-proof practice rooms, a music theory/computer classroom, choral and dance studios, a forensics suite, wet and dry visual art studios, and a television studio.

Additional projects completed recently include:

• The $7 million state-of-the-art Aquatics Center: Last fall, the opening of the new aquatic center sent waves of excitement demonstrating the completion of yet another piece of major expansion in the school’s planned transformation. The state-of-the-art Aquatics Center is home to a 50-meter competition swimming pool just south of the Noël P. Brown Sports Center that houses a moveable bulkhead capable of being divided for competitions and multiple practices. It also has an attached dive well, three springboards, and accommodates a seating capacity of more than 600 spectators. Besides boasting the largest water volume pool in Florida, the competition-level pool will allow University School swim teams to host meets and stage full-scale practices taking its aquatic programs to the next level. The construction of the aquatic center is also part of a wider effort to boost the athletics program at University School.
   
• An additional 12,341 square-foot wing of the Dauer Middle School: The new wing of the Dauer Middle School opened in January 2007. This $3 million project included an 880-square-foot expansion of the Middle School’s cafeteria and five new classrooms (including two science labs). The new classrooms are equipped with wireless technology and video capability and computers and printers. The centerpiece is a 4,715- square-foot multipurpose room and theater that accommodates more than 500 people and is used for theatrical productions, assemblies and presentations by guest speakers.

“We congratulate Dr. Chermak, and the entire school community for their extraordinary efforts to bring University School of NSU to this time of great success,” said Dr. Carole Repensek, president of the Association of Independent Schools of Florida, which is the accrediting body for University School.

For more information, please visit www.uschool.nova.edu or call 954-262-4452.

Media Contact:
Andra Liwag, NSU Office of Public Affairs
954-262-5309 office, 954-873-8494 cell, andrali@nova.edu