A New Space to Foster Curiosity, Community, and Connection
We are excited to share a significant addition to our campus: 245 Woodland, a neighborhood house acquired in the fall of 2023. This space expands Beaver’s footprint and strengthens our commitment to deeper learning and belonging.
Officially opened to students in October 2024, 245 Woodland is more than just a new building—it represents our values of curiosity, community, and connection.
I had the privilege of coordinating student and faculty use of the space during its inaugural year, with the goal of introducing it broadly so it would quickly become part of Beaver’s culture. The reaction was so positive.
Delonte Egwuatu, Chief Engagement and Inclusion Officer
Accessible through the wooded playground students and faculty call The Jungle, and adjacent to our main campus, 245 Woodland provides much-needed room to grow. The first floor offers three flexible, interconnected spaces designed for collaboration, fostering transdisciplinary learning and creative partnerships. The second floor now houses Beaver’s Business Office and Summer Camp staff, freeing up valuable square footage in the Main Building for academic use.
A Hub of Activity
In its first year alone, 245 Woodland has already been a center of energy and engagement. The space officially kicked off with a “245 House Party” for our faculty and staff, and since its opening, there have been a total of 35+ events, including advisory meetings, co-curricular classes, affinity group gatherings, Student Council meetings, and class presentations, while also creating opportunities to launch new leadership-focused programs.
Academics and Deeper Learning highlights:
- 6th-grade Humanities cooking lesson tied to Hinduism
- Choreography Foundations Honors Showcase
- Advance Chinese: Health and Environment (tea-making and Taichi practicing)
- BVR-X Social Entrepreneurship Presentations
- Philosophy class: Political Theory Quest Project
Curiosity, Community, and Connection examples:
- 2025 Middle School Hiatt Leadership Institute
- Middle School SAGA Friendsgiving
- Middle School yoga sessions
- Upper School Cooking Club
- Exploring Christianity Christmas Celebration
Engaging with Ideas and Pedagogy
245 Woodland has also become a venue for thought leadership. Our Academic Team welcomed a guest speaker on emerging AI and governance. In January 2025, Beaver was proud to host “Leading Through Political Polarization: A Convening for Independent School Educators,” featuring Meira Levinson P’21, the Juliana W. and William Foss Thompson Professor of Education and Society at Harvard Graduate School of Education, in partnership with Facing History and Ourselves. This symposium brought together over 40 school leaders, including Heads/Assistant Heads of School, Division Directors, DEI Directors, and Department Chairs, for a collaborative discussion on navigating the increasing political polarization in their respective school communities.
Looking Ahead
Everyone at Beaver is thrilled to have this new home for curiosity, community, and connection. We are deeply grateful to the circle of generous donors who helped make this possible and we look forward to enjoying the space for years to come!
Walking into 245 Woodland and seeing students cooking, creating, debating, and learning together confirms exactly why we wanted to support the addition of this new space to Beaver’s campus. The location is nestled into Beaver’s charming campus seamlessly so students can travel to and from it with ease. We are thrilled that so many student programs and activities have already found a ‘home’ there.
Joanna and Nigel Travis P’23