News Detail
School leaders break ground on Sundheim Humanities Center
Ransom Everglades school leaders, humanities faculty and key supporters gathered on April 27 at the site of the future Sundheim Humanities Center to break ground on the 30,000-square-foot facility that will represent a major expansion of the upper school campus and a landmark investment in humanities education. The state-of-the-art center will have 19 flexible classrooms, collaborative spaces and a rooftop terrace for community gatherings. It is scheduled for completion in fall 2027.
The groundbreaking ceremony marked the official start of a project that will fully integrate the La Brisa property purchased a decade ago, creating a dynamic new academic heart of the upper school campus.
"This is a dream that has been long in the making," Head of School Rachel Rodriguez said.
Added Chair of the RE Board of Trustees Miguel Dueñas '95: "This building is designed in a way that will truly enable the flow of ideas, the exchange of ideas, and the sharing of moments. We are excited for the moment where the kids are seamlessly flowing through both campuses on a day-to-day basis."
Dueñas and Rodriguez thanked RE parents Brett and Daniel Sundheim for their lead donation in 2022, which set the stage for the day's festivities. The Sundheims spoke about the importance of ensuring human-centric study in a digital world.
"Computers will never make a Jackson Pollock painting," Daniel Sundheim said. "They’ll never write a Shakespearean drama. In a world where computers can code and do math, being able to interact with others, have empathy, and solve problems in teams will be even more crucial than they’ve ever been before."
Brett Sundheim added that the center serves as a thank-you to the Ransom Everglades' teachers. "This is a tribute to the incredible Ransom Everglades faculty," she said. "The real beauty will come from the creativity and the community building that’s going to take place inside."
To date, $18 million has been committed to the $45 million project. Chief Operating Officer David Clark '86 provided information on the specifics of the center, and middle school poet Freya Samuel '30 added to the celebration by filling guests with inspiration for the future with her original poem "Our New Story.""This is a dream that has been long in the making," Head of School Rachel Rodriguez said.
Added Chair of the RE Board of Trustees Miguel Dueñas '95: "This building is designed in a way that will truly enable the flow of ideas, the exchange of ideas, and the sharing of moments. We are excited for the moment where the kids are seamlessly flowing through both campuses on a day-to-day basis."
Dueñas and Rodriguez thanked RE parents Brett and Daniel Sundheim for their lead donation in 2022, which set the stage for the day's festivities. The Sundheims spoke about the importance of ensuring human-centric study in a digital world.
"Computers will never make a Jackson Pollock painting," Daniel Sundheim said. "They’ll never write a Shakespearean drama. In a world where computers can code and do math, being able to interact with others, have empathy, and solve problems in teams will be even more crucial than they’ve ever been before."
Brett Sundheim added that the center serves as a thank-you to the Ransom Everglades' teachers. "This is a tribute to the incredible Ransom Everglades faculty," she said. "The real beauty will come from the creativity and the community building that’s going to take place inside."
Middle School
2045 South Bayshore Drive, Coconut Grove, FL 33133Phone: 305 250 6850
Upper School
3575 Main Highway, Coconut Grove, FL 33133Phone: 305 460 8800
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Founded in 1903, Ransom Everglades School is a coeducational, college preparatory day school for grades 6 - 12 located on two campuses in Coconut Grove, Florida. It is rated the top private school in Miami and among the 10 private schools in North America. Ransom Everglades School produces graduates who "believe that they are in the world not so much for what they can get out of it as for what they can put into it." The school provides rigorous college preparation that promotes the student's sense of identity, community, personal integrity and values for a productive and satisfying life, and prepares the student to lead and to contribute to society.
Ransom Everglades School®, The RE Way®, RE Pathways® and Bowden Fellowships in the Humanities™ are trademarks of Ransom Everglades School.
Ransom Everglades School®, The RE Way®, RE Pathways® and Bowden Fellowships in the Humanities™ are trademarks of Ransom Everglades School.