Marvelwood has been transformed

KENT — Just before students returned to campus for the 2018 academic year, the Marvelwood School invited community members to come and tour the extensive renovations that were accomplished over the summer. 

A tour was offered on Friday, Sept. 7, of the four dormitories, student commons and the Science Labs that had been refurnished, redesigned and updated.

The revamped student common room next to the dining room is snug but comfortable and inviting. It is dominated by a singularly interesting piece of art: a large depiction of a pterodactyl on one wall. Caitlin Lynch, assistant head of School, explained that “the class of 1982 wanted the school to have a mascot, one that would be  unlike any other school’s mascot.” They succeeded admirably by choosing the pterodactyl. 

Lynch said on the tour that the renovations were the first since 2005. They were started on June 6, the day after school closed, and finished by the day school reopened. This fact became more impressive as the tour revealed the enormity of the work that had been done.

The common rooms in both the all-girl Summit Dorm and the all-boy Lake Dorm are defined by enormous freestanding fireplaces, where original brick facing has been replaced by natural stone expertly cut and fit. 

Project Manager Michael Gabriel-Deveau pointed out that though the rooms are almost identical, there are very subtle but important changes in colors and textures. The carpeting in Summit is slightly more feminine and floral; it’s more geometrical in Lake. 

Upholstery too showed sensitivity to male versus female tastes.

The renovations are far from skin-deep. LED lighting fixtures were added; there are now motion-sensitive energy-efficient bathroom fixtures and water fountains designed to accept water bottles.

The final stop on tour was the science lab, an inviting, comfortably furnished place to work, experiment and learn. Laurie Doss, chair of the Science Department, and teacher Michael Cuff showed off the new equipment, including a 3D printer. 

Marvelwood is a boarding and day school for students in grades 9 to 12. It has a large international population and also serves students who benefit from non-traditional teaching styles. 

The school was founded as a boys school in 1956 in Cornwall. In those days, it was so small that students lived in private residences around the campus.  

The school went co-ed in the 1970s and in 1995 moved from Cornwall to the top of Skiff Mountain, onto what had been the girls campus of the Kent School.