Preserving 100 years of history to create a brighter, modern space for the leaders of tomorrow.
As Kate Duncan Smith DAR School prepares for the landmark transition of grades 3–5 into a new 60,000-square-foot facility in 2027, we are launching a vital new chapter in our campus history. To ensure our youngest Patriots (Pre-K through 2nd Grade) also thrive in an optimal learning environment, KDS is initiating a comprehensive interior and exterior renovation of the historic Cox Primary and Jacobs Buildings.
Project Scope & Objectives
The goal of this campaign is to modernize our facilities while honoring the architectural legacy of our 100-year-old campus. Our focus remains on providing durable, high-quality spaces that our students deserve.
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Interior Modernization: Enhancing classrooms and hallways with new LVP flooring, fresh neutral paint, expanded electrical capacity, and dedicated student storage (cubbies and bag areas) to support a clean and organized learning environment.
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Infrastructure & Safety: Replacing uneven sidewalks to ensure student safety and installing new gutter systems to protect the integrity of these historic structures.
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Enhanced Outdoor Spaces: Implementing professional landscaping to resolve drainage issues and creating a new, low-maintenance play area for our early elementary students.
This renovation is a significant undertaking that requires the collective support of the KDS community. We invite our friends and partners to join us in this mission to provide modern, functional, and inviting spaces for the next generation of leaders. Partner with us to ensure the youngest generation of Patriots can continue to have the best educational experience possible!
Foundation - $50,000 or greater
Preserving our legacy in stone and sand
Transforming an exterior space to enhance learning and foster pride, we will provide improved drainage through extensive grade work and routing water run-off through ‘dry creek beds’, as well as installing lush green grass,and irrigation
Freestone - $25,000
Strong roots create new growth
Making our buildings more accessible and attractive through replacement of uneven and unsafe walkwayswith historically accurate stone sidewalks and enhancing the landscape with low maintenance plant materials
Archway - $10,000
Conserving a community icon
Bright and durable flooring throughout the Jacobs Building will set the stage for a learning environment students and teachers will be proud to call their own.
Corridor - $5,000
Setting the stage for learning
Within the historic Jacobs and Primary Buildings, we will modernize the infrastructure by updating the electrical service to better serve the next generation of Patriots
Threshold - $2,500
Rooted in history, built for success
We will honor the students of the past by embracing
the historic look of beadboard walls, and we will inspire the students of the future with light, bright colors
Homeroom -$1,000
Fresh spaces, bright minds
Classrooms will be enhanced with fresh paint and storage for student backpacks and lunch boxes